THE 



LIFE AND VOYAGES 



OF 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, 



WASHINGTON IRVIN 




ABRIOGBD AND ARRANGED BY THE AUTHOR, EXPRESSLY FOR TUB USB 
OF SCHOOLS. 



BATH, W. Y. 

R. L* UNDERBILL & 00. 
1844. 






Entered according to act of Congress, in the year one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty-four, hy Washing-ion Irving^ in th® 
Clerk's office of the Soathern District of New- York. 



A- 
I., 




"•''H^A* 



RICHARDSON & DOW, BR^'S BATH^N, Y, 



INTRODUCTION. 



1. Whether in old times beyond tlic roach of history 
'or tradition, there existed an intercourse between the op- 
iposite shores of the Atlantic; whether tlwj Egyptian 
legend concerning the island of Atalantis was indeed no 
•fable, and that such country did actuall}' «xist, and was 
swallowed up by some mighty convulsion of our globe, 
must ever remain matters of mere speculation. 

2. Certain it is, that at the beginning of the fifteenth 
•century, nothing was known of lands in the western 

hemisphere. It is true, that articles had floated from time 
to time to the shores of the old world, giving indications 
to its wondering inhabitants of land in the west, far 
beyond their watery horizon, yet no one ventured to spread 
a sail in quest of it. 

3. The vast waters of the Atlantic were regarded with 
mysterious awe, seeming to bound the world as with a 
chaos into which conjecture could not penetrate, and en- 
terprise feared to adventure. 

4. " The ocean," observes an eminent Arabian geo- 
grapher of the time, " encircles the ultimate bounds of the 
inhabited earth, and all beyond it is unknown. No one 
has been able to verify any thing concerning it, on ac- 
count of ifes difficult and perilous navigation, its great ob. 



W irraoDuoTiOM. 

•ctirity, its profound depth, and frequent tempests ; through 
tear of its mighty fishes, and its haughty winds ; yet there 
are many islands in it, some of which are peopled, and 
others uninhabited. 

5. There is no mariner who dares to enter into ita 
deep waters ; or if any have done bo, they have merely 
kept along its coast, fearful of departing from them. The 
waves of this ocean, although they roll as high as moun- 
tarns, yet maintain themselves without breaking ; for if 
they broke, it would be impossible for a ship to plough 
them." 

G. It is the object of the following work to relate the 
deeds and fortunes of the mariner who first had the judg. 
ment to divine, and the intr«?pidity to brave, the mysteries 
of this perilous deep ; and who, by his hardy genius, hig 
mflexible constancy, and his heroic courage, brought the 
ends of the earth into communication with each otiier. 
The narrative of his troubled life is the link which connccta 
the history of the old world with that of the nevr. 



^- 



CHAPTER L 

Birlh^ pareTilage, education, and early life of ColumbuM, 

1. Christopher Columbus, or Colombo, aa the name 
IS written in Italian, was a native of Genoa, and bora 
about the year 1435. He was the oldest of four children, 
having- two brothers, one named Bartholomew, the other 
Giacomo, or Diego as it is translated into Spanish, and 
one sister. 

2. His father, Domenico Colombo, was a wool comber, as 
several of his ancestors had been before iiim. Attempts 
have been made, by those who attach value to hereditary 
rank, to prove Columbus of illustrious descent, and seve- 
ral noble families have laid claim to him since his name 
has become so renowned as to confer, rather than to re- 
ceive, distinction. His son Fernando thought justly on 
the subject. " I am of opinion," said he, " that I should 
derive less dignity from any nobility of ancestry, than 
from being the son of such a father." 

3. Columbus evinced at a very early age, a decided incli- 
nation for the sea. His father, therefore, endeavoured, 
as far as his means afforded, to give him such an educa- 
tion as would make him a skilful navigator. He even 
sent him to tJie university of Pavia, where he studied 
geometry, geography, astronomy and navigation, and the 
Latin tongue. 

4. His father was too poor, however, to keep him longer 
at the university than was suflicient to acquire the rudi- 
ments of the necessary sciences. The deep insight into 
them, which he afterwards displayed, v/as the result of 
experience and self instruction. Men of strong genius 
derive an advantage from thus having, at their very out- 
set, to contend with poverty and privations. They learn 
to depend upon themselves, to improv^e every casual ad- 
vantage, and to effect great ends by small means. Such 
a man was Columbus. His own energy and invention 
jsupplied every deficiency, and in all his undertakings, 
the scantiness of his means enhanced the grandeur of hia 
.achievements. 

5. His first voyage was made shortly after leaving the ■ 

*■ « 



a Liri AND VOYAGSS 

oniversity, when he was about fourteen years of &ge. 
The seamring life in those days was ftill of peril and ad- 
venture. The feuds between the Italian states, and the 
holy wars with the Mahometan powers, filled the seas 
with cruisers ; some fitted out by sovereig-ri states ; some 
by powerful nobles ; and some by desperate adventurers. 
Piracy was almost legalized ; even a commercial voyage 
partook of a warlike character, and a merchant had often 
to fight his way from port to port. 

6. Such was the rugged school in which Columbus was 
first broken into naval discipline ; and he had a teacher 
as rugged as the school. This was a relative named Co- 
lombo, a hardy old captain of the seas, bold and adven- 
turous, ready to fight in any cause, and to take up a 
quarrel wherever it might lawfully be found. 

7. With this veteran cruiser Columbus sailed several 
years, and served in a squadron, of which he was admiral, 
fitted out in Genoa in 1459, by John of Anjou, Duke of 
Calabria, to make a descent upon Naples, in the hope of 
recovering tliat kingdom for his father, Renato, Count 
of Provence. In the course of this expedition, Columbus 
was detached by the old admiral on a daring enterprise, 
to cut out a galley from the port of Tunis, in which he 
acquitted himself with great resolution and address. 

8. For several years aftorwards, he continued to voyage 
in the Mediterranean, and up the Levant. Sometimes he 
was engaged in commercial employ ; -sometimes in peri- 
lous cruises with liis old fighting relative, or with a no 
less fighting nephew of the same, named Colombo the 
younger ; who, we are told, was so terrible for his deeds 
against the infidels, that the Moorish mothers used to 
frighten their unruly children with his name. The last 
anecdote we have of this obscure part of the life of Co- 
lumbus is given by his son Fernando, and relates to a 
daring cruise with this bold rover. 

9. Colombo the younger, hearing that four Venetian gal- 
leys, richly laden, were returning from Flanders, waylaid 
and attacked them with his squadron on the Portuguese 
coast, between Lisbon and Cape St. Vincent. A bloody 
battle ensued that lasted from morning until evening. 
The vessels graoplcd each other, the crev.'s fought 



>O^P COLUMBUS. 7 

hand to hand, and from ship to ship. The vessel com- 
manded by Columbus engaged with a large Venetian 
galley. 

10. In the fury of the contest they threw hand gre- 
nades and other fiery missiles. The galley took fire, and 
as the vessels were grappled together and could not be 
separated, they soon .became one flaming mass. The 
crews threw themselves into the sea. Columbus seized 
an oar that was floating near him, and swam to shore, 
which was full two leagues distant. Having recovered 
from his exhaustion, he repaired to Lisbon, where he 
found many of his Genoese countrymen, and wasinduced 
to take up his residence. 

11. Such is the account given by Fernando Columbua 
of the first arrival of his father in Portugal. There are 
grounds for believing, however, that he had resided there 
some years previous to this battle, and that he was led 
thither, not by desperate adventure, but by a spirit of 
liberal curiosity, and in pursuit of honourable fortune. 



CHAPTER II. 

Portuguese discoveries. Residence of Columbus at Lisbon. 

1. The career of modern discovery had commenced 
shortly before the time of Columbus ; but was confined 
to the western coast of Africa and the adjacent islands. 
It at length received a new impulse from Prince Henry 
of Portugal, son of King John the First. 

2. That accomplished prince, by profound study of those 
sciences connected with the maritime arts, became per- 
suaded that Africa was circumnavigable, and that, by keep- 
ing: along its shores, a ship might sail from Europe to India. 
In thftsway an easier and cheaper channel might be opened 
for tnS^opulent trade of the east ; which had hitherto 
been eononKcd to Europe by an expensive internal route 
along the Red^ea and the Nile, and liad been monopo- 
lized by the Italian merchants. 

3. In -seeking to carry this idea into effect, Prince 



d LIFE AND VOTAOE« 

Henry had to struggle against the ignorance and pre- 
judices of the age. Navigation was yet in its infancy ; 
mariners feared to venture far from land ; and looked 
with awe at the vast and unknown expanse of the At- 
lantic. They believed in the old error, that the imagi- 
nary circle called the torrid zone, which girdles the earth 
at the equator, was a region of impassable heat, com- 
pletely severing the two hemispheres. And they had a 
superstitious notion, that whoever doubled Cape Bojador 
would never return. 

4. Prince Heery called in the aid of the most eminent 
men of science to dispel these errors. He established a 
naval college and observatory ; introduced great improve- 
ment in maps and charts, and in the use of the mariners' 
compass, and pushed the discoveries of his nation be- 
yond the region of the tropics, quite to Cape de Verde. 

5. He obtained, also, a bull or ordinance from the Pope, 
giving the crown of Portugal sovereign authority over all 
the lands it might discover in the Atlantic, to India 
inclusive. 

0; Henry died before he had accomplished the great 
object of his ambition ; but he had lived long enough to 
behold, through his means, his native country in a grand 
career of prosperity. He has been well described, as 
« full of thoughts of lofty enterprise, and acts of generous 
spirit." He bore for his device the magnanimous motto, 
« the talent to do good," the only talent worthy the am- 
bition of princes. 

7. The fame of the Portuguese discoveries drew the 
learned, the curiou.s, and the adventurous, to Lisbon. 
Among the rest, Columbus arrived there about the year 
1470. He was at that time in the full vigour of man- 
hood, and here it may not be improper to draw liis por- 
trait, according to the minute descriptions given of him 
by his contemporaries. ^ 

8. He was tall, well formed, muscular, and of^an ele- 
vated and dignified demeanour. His visage av&.s long, 
and neither full nor meagre ; his complexion fair and 
freckled, and inclined to ruddy ; his nose aquiline ; his 
•cheek hones were rather high ; his eyes light gray, and 
apt to enkindle ; his whole countenance had an air of 



OW COLUMBUS. V 

authority. His hair, in his youthful days, was of a light 
colour, but care and trouble soon turned it gray, and at 
thirty years of age it was quite white. 

9. His temper was naturally irritable, but he subdued 
it by the magnanimity of his spirit, so as to conduct 
himself always with a courteous and gentle gravity. 
Towards strangers he was engaging and affable, and his 
amiable manners in domestic life won him the love and 
devotion of his household. 

10. He was moderate and simple in diet and apparel ; 
eloquent and animated at times in discourse, but always 
temperate in language, avoidmg oaths and all profane 
expressions. Throughout his life, he was noted for a 
strict attention to the offices of religion ; nor did his piety 
consist in mere forms, but partook of that lefty and 
solemn enthusiasm with whicli his whole character was 
strongly tinctured. 

11. While at Lisbon, he was accustomed to att^-nd re- 
ligious service at the chapel of the Convent of All Siints. 
Here he frequently obtained a sight of a young lady, 
named Felipa, who resided in the convent. Sliew.-sthe 
daughter of an Italian cavalier, lately deceased, B-^rto- 
lomeo Monis de Palestrello, who had been a distinguish- 
ed navigator in the service of Prince Henry, and had 
colonized and governed the island of Porto Santo. 

18. A romantic attachment took place between Co- 
lumbus and tiiis young lady, wliicli ended in marrio-ge. 
It was a matcli of mere affection, for neither of tb'^m 
i'ould boast of fortune, and Columbus was obliged to em- 
>loy himself in making maps and charts for the support 
vf his family. 

13. This connexion brouglit liim more than ever into 
the spher^^ of discovery. His wife's sister was married 
to Pedro Correo, a navigator of note, between whom, 
and Columbus, there were frequent conversations about 
(he recent discoveries on the African coast, and the popu- 
lar theme, the discovery of a route by sea to India. His 

nother-in-law also related to him all that she knew of 
he voyages and discoveries of her late husband, and put 
.is charts and journal? into his possession. 

14. He thus obtained a knowle^e of the routes and 



^10 LirS AND VOTAOGS 

leading- ideas of the Portuguese discoverers. Being, 
moreover, naturalized in Portugal, he was permitted to 
sad in some of the expeditions to the coast of Guinea ; 
and at one time resided in the recently colonized island 
'of Porto Santo, where his wife had inherited some little 
property, and where she gave birth to a son, whom he 
named Diego. 

15. (It was a period of great excitement with all con- 
cerned in maritime affairs. The recent discoveries had 
inflamed their imaginations, and given birth to rumours 
■of all kinds, concerning unknown islands, hidden in the 
wastes of the Atlantic, and casually seen by mariners. 
Many of these were mere fables ; many had originated, 
doubtless, in the self-delusion ofsailort?, who beheld distant 
land in those summer clouds which lie along Ihe horizon. 

16. The most singular delusion of the kind, is that re- 
corded of the inhabitants of the Canaries. They ima- 
gined, from time to time, that they beheld a vast island 
in the west, with lofty, mountains and deep valleys. It 
made its appearance in the clearest weather, and so dis- 
tinctly, that expeditions were fitted out in search of it. 
The fancied island, however, faded on their approacli, 
and was never to be found ; yet, it still continued occa- 
sionally to cheat the eye, and is actually laid down in old 
maps, under the name of St, Brandan, or St. Borondon. 

17. Columbus participated largely in the excitement 
•of the age. "Every tale and rumour, that bore upon the 
popidar theme, was noted down by him with curious care. 
Ilis voyages along the coast of Guinea ; his residence at 
Porto Santo and his occupation in making maps and 
charts, led him more and more to speculate upon the great 
problem<of a route by sea to India, 

18. While others, however, thought only of ftceking it 
by keeping along the coast of Africa, his daring mind con- 
ceived the idea of turning his prow directly west, leaving 
the old world behind him, and steering boldly for the 
shores of Asia across the untraversed waste of the Atlan- 
tic, Having once conceived. this idea, it is interesting 
to notice from what a ma*;s of facts, and fictions, and 
speculative theories, the grand project of discovery was 
wrought out by the strong workings of his vigorous mind. 



Oy COLUHBOS. tS 

CHAPTER III. 

Grounds oniehich Columbus foundedhis tlteory. 

1. Columbus set it down as a fundamental principle, 
tiiat the earth was a terraqueous globe ; and that not more 
than two thirds of its circumference from east to west^ 
had been discovered. The third part, which remained 
unexplored, he supposed to be filled up by land, to balance 
the continents in the hemisphere already known. 

2. This land he supposed to be a continuation of the 
continent of Asia, or India, as it was g-enerally called. 
The ancients, thoug-h they knew little of India beyond 
the Ganges, had asserted that it stretched on eastward) 
to the distance of four months' journey in a straight line. 
in the fourteenth century, also, one Marco Polo, a. Vene- 
tian, travelled to tlie remotest parts of the east, and gave 
an account of their extent, that seemed' to confirm the 
assertions of the ancients. 

3.' Adopting an opinion of Alfraganus, a learned 
Arabian, that tlie circumference of the earth was less 
than was generally imagined, Columbus concluded, that, 
if Asia extended as far eastward as was represented, it 
must approach the western shores of Europe and Africa, 
and the intervening space of ocean must be of moderate' 
extent. 

4. Several facts tended to confirm this idea. A Por- 
tuguese pilot, who had sailed farther to the west than 
was customary, picked up a piece of wood carved in an 
unknown fashion, and drifting from that quarter. Re«ds, 
also, of an immense size, such as were said to grow only 
in India, floated to the Azore islands from the west. 
Above all, a canoe with the dead bodies of two men, 
differing in features and complexion from any known 
race, had been cast by westerly winds upon those islands. 

5. These and other facts of similar import, streno-then- 
ed his conviction that the shores of India were wiihin a 
najrigablo distance, directly west, and might easily- be 
attained by sailing in that direction. 

6. The work of Marco Polo had a powerful effect in 
producing this conviction, .and deserves particular men- 



13 LIPB AND TOYAOBS 

tion, as furnisJiing" a key to many of his plans and ideas. 
That traveller gave mag-nificent accounts of the maritime 
regions of the extreme east. The province of Mangi 
near Cathay, and the cities of Cambalu and Kinsay, 
since found to be maritime provinces of China, but at that 
time under the dominion of the Grand Kiian of Tartary. 

7. He mentioned also an island about fifteen hundred 
miles at sea, which he called Cipango, and wliich is sup- 
posed to be Japan. He described it as abounding in 
spices and precious stones, and so rich in metals that 
the palace of tlie king was covered with plates of gold. 

8. The project of Columbus was to sail directly west 
for this island of Cipango. There he would pause, re* 
fresh, and refit, and would then prosecute his voyage to 
the shores of Mangi and Cathay, in tlie opulent dominions 
of the Grand Khan. In fact, throughout all liis voyages, 
he was continually in search of those golden regions, and 
fancying himself on the point of arriving at thorn. 

9. From this general view of the theory of Columb-uSf 
it will be perceived that he was emboldened to his great 
enterprise by two happy errors : the imaginary extent of 
Asia to the east, and the supposed smallness of the 
earth. Had he not been encouraged by such belief, he 
would hardly have attempted to traverse a v/aste of wa- 
ters, immeasurable perhaps in extent, and where he might 
perish before he could reach the opposite shore. 

10. When Columbus had once formed his theory, it he- 
came fixed in his mind with singular firmness. He 
never spoke in doubt or hesitation, but with as much 
certainty as if his eyes had beheld the promised land. A 
deep religious sentiment mingled with his thoughts, and 
gave tiiem a tinge of superstition, but of a sublime and 
lofly kind. 

11. He looked upon himself as standing in the hand 
of heaven, chosen from among men for the accomplish- 
ment of a high purpose ; he read, as he supposed, his 
contemplated discovery foretold in Holy Writ, and 
shadowed forth darkly in the prophecies ; wherein it 
was declared, that the ends of the earth should be brought 
together, and all nations, and tongues^ and languages^ 
united under the banner of the Redeemer. 



or COLVMBC9. 19 

CHAPTER IV. 

Events in P&rtugal relative to Discovery. Propositions cf 
Columbus to various courts. 

1. The project of discoveiy conceived by Columbui 
was too important an enterprise for an individual, antj 
required the patronage of some sovereign power. Such, 
however, was difficult to be obtained. Navigatior. 
was still too imperfect for so perilous an undertaking. 
Though the compass had been introduced into general 
use, yet mariners rarely ventured out of sight of land. 
A voyage into the unknown wastes of the ocean in 
search of some imagined land, seemed as extravagant a 
project then, as it would, at the present day, to launch 
forth in a balloon into the regions of space in quest ot 
some distant star. 

2. Several years elapsed, therefore, without any de- 
cided effort on the part of Columbus to carry his design 
into execution. During this interval he made a voyage 
into the northern seas, beyond the Ultima Thule of the 
ancients, penetrated the polar circle, and convinced him- 
self that the frozen zone was habitable. 

3. At this juncture, John II. ascended the throne of 
Portugal. He was anxious to carry into effect the 
splendid idea of his grand uncle Prince Henr}', to cir- 
cumnavigate Africa, and bear the Portuguese flag into 
the Indian seas. Under his patronage, the attention of 
men of science was again directed to the improvement of 
naviga,tion, and the result of a conference of the most ex- 
perienced astronomers was, .the application of the astro- 
labe to maritime purposes. 

4. This instrument possessed the essential advantages 
of the quadrant, into which it has since been modified. 
The project of Columbus was thus divested of its most 
hazardous character, for science had furnished a sure 
guide for discovery across the trackless ocean. Accord- 
ingly, it was shortly after this event that Columbus was 
emboldened to seek an audience of the king of Portugal, 
and lay before him his great scheme of seeking India by- 
a voyage to the west. 



i4 LIFE AND VOTAOES i 

5. King Xohn gave him an attentive heanng, and, b©^ | 
ing struck vi'ith his scheme, referred it to a junto of men ] 
of science. It was treated by them with contempt, as ' 
extravagant and visionary. The king was not satisfied 
with their decision. He desired tlie opinion of his privy 
counselldrs, among whom were some of the most learned 
men of the kingdom. Their opinion was equally unfa^- 
vourable with that of the junto. 

6. Certain of the counsellors, however, seemg tliat the 
king still retained an inclination for the enterprise, de- 
vised aiplan by which it might be secretly put to the test, 
without publicly committing the dignity of the crown, in 
what they considered a mere fantasy. Procuring from 
Columbus a detailed plan of jiis proposed voyage, and the 
charts by which he intended to shape his course, they 
privately despatched a caravel, or small vessel, to pursue 
the designated route. \ 

7. The caravel took its departure from the Cape de 
Verde islands, and stood westward for several days. The ' 
weather grew stormy ; the pilots, having no zeal to sti- 
mulate them, and seeing nothmg but a waste of wild 
tumbhng waves still extending before them, lost all 
courage, and returned to Lisbon, ridiculing the project 
as extravagant and irrational. 

8. When Columbus learnt the unworthy attempt that 
had been made to defraud him of his enterprise, he re- 
nounced all further negotiation with the crown of Portu- 
gal. The death of his wife having dissolved the tie which 
bound him to the land, he took with him his, son Diego, 
then u mere cliild, and turned his back upon a country 
which had treated him with»so little faith. 

9. He now repaired to his native country Genoai' 
where he revisited his aged father, and made such ar- 
rangements for his support as his hmited purse afforded. 
And here it: ought to be mentioned to his honour, that, 
during all the time of his residence in Portugal, he had 
contrived out of his scanty means, to succour his indigent 
paront, and tO' educate his younger brothers. 

10. While at Genoa, he made his propositions- to the 
government. The republic, howeverj' was in a state of 
decline, and emba^assed by ruinous wars. Natioiis, like 



OV GOLUMBUft. 15 

HVdividuals, lose their enterprise in times of adversity, 
when It IS most needed. Thus Genoa, broken in spirit, 
rejected a scheme which, if adopted, might have elevated 
her to tenfold splendour, and perpetuated the golden wand 
of commerce in the grasp of Italy. 

11. The ne.xt application of Columbus was to the re- 
public of Venice, but here he met with no better success. 
He then engaged his brother Bartholomew to sail for 
England, to lay his propositions before Henry VIL, whom 
he had heard extolled for his wisdom and munificence. 
For himself, he sailed for Spain, where he arrived in great 
poverty ; thus in a manner begging his way from court 
to court, to offer to princes the discovery of a world. 



CHAPTER V. 

First arrival of Columbus in Spain. Characters of the 
Spanish Sovereigns. 

1. The first trace we have of Columbus in Spain, 
IS striking and peculiar. About half a league from the 
little port of Palos, in Andalusia, on a solitary height 
overlooking the sea coast, and suiTounded by a forest of 
pine trees, there stood, and stands at the present day, an 
ancient convent of Franciscan friars, called the convent 
of Santa Maria de Rabida. 

2. A stranger travelling on foot, accompanied by a 
young boy, stopped one day at the gate, and asked of the 
porter a little bread and water for his chiJd. That 
stranger was Columbus, accompanied by his younff son 
Die^o. •' .' & 

3. While they were partaking of this humble refresh- 
ment,the guardian of the convent, Juan Perez de Mar- 
chena, happened to pass by. He perceived from the air 
and accent of Columbus that he was a foreigner, and 
being interested by his appearance, entered into conver- 
sation with him. 

4. Learning the singular object of his travels, he de- 
tamed hun as his guest, and invited a scientific friend 



W LIFE AND VOYAGES 

Garcia Fernandez, a physician of Palos, and several 
veteran mariners of the neighbourhood to confer with 
him. They all became converts to the theory of 
Columbus. 

5. One Martin Alonzo Pmzon, the head of a. wealthy 
family of experienced navigators in Palos, offered to de- 
fray the expenses of Columbus to court., and, if his enter- 
prise should be adopted by the sovereigns, to engage in it 
with purse and person. 

6. To ensure him a ready and favourable hearing, the 
worthy friar Juan Perez, gave him a letter to the queen's 
confessor, Fernando de Talavera, a priest of great political 
influence, and promised, in the mean time, to maintain 
and educate his son Diego at the convent. 

7. Thus aided and encouraged, he set out in the spring 
of 1486, to seek the countenance of the Spanish sove- 
reigns, who at that time were assembling their forces at 
Cordova,' for a campaign against the Moorisli kingdom of 
Granada. And here it is proper to give a brief descrip- 
tion of these princes, who performed such an important 
part in the events of this history. 

8. Ferdinand and Isabella had separate claims to 
sovereignty, and held separate councilp, in virtue of their 
separate kingdoms of Arragon and Castile. They were 
said, therefore, to live together, not like man and wife 
whose estates are in common, under llie orders of the 
husband, but as two monarchs strictly allied. 

9. So happily united were the}'-, however, by common 
views and interest, and by a great deference for each 
other, that this double administration never prevented a 
unity of purpose and action. All acts of sovereignty 
were executed in both their names ; all public writings 
subscribed with both their signatures ; their likenesses 
were stamped together on the public coin ; and the royal 
seal displayed the united arms of Castile and Arragon. 

10. Ferdinand possessed a clear and comprehensive 
genius, and great penetration. He was equable in tem- 
per, indefatigable in business, and a great observer of 
men. It has been said, however, and apparently with 
reason, that \fj was bigoted in religion, and craving 
rather than magnanimous in his ambition ; that he made 



OP OOLUMBtfS. 17 

war kss for glory than for mere dominion ; and that his 
policy was cold, selfish, and artful. 

11. Isabella was of the middle size, and well formed ; 
with a fair complexion, auburn hair, and clear blue eyes. 
There Vv'as a mingled gTavity and sweetness in her 
countenance, and a singular modesty, gracinor, as it did, 
great firmness of purpose and earnestness of spirit. 
Though strongly attached to her husband, and studious 
of his fame, yet she always maintained her distinct 
rights 'as an allied prince. 

12. She exceeded him in beauty, personal dignity, 
acuteness of genius, and grandeur of soul. Combining 
the active and resolute qualities of man with the softer 
charities of woman, she mingled in the warlike councils 
of her husband, and, being inspired with a truer idea of 
glory, infused a more lofly and generous temper into Iiis 
subtle and calculating policy. 

13. Her fostering and maternal care was continually 
directed to reform tlie laws, and heal the ills engendered 
by a long course of civil wars. She assembled round her 
the ablest men in literature and science, and directed 
herself by their councils in encouraging literature and 
the arts. Such was the nobie minded woman, who was 
destined to acquire immortal renown by her spirited 
patronage of the discovery of the new world. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Pr Of josi lions of Columbus to the Court of Spain, 

1. Columbus an-ived at Cordova, at a most unpro- 
pitious. moment for his suit. The monarchs were in all 
the bustle of military preparation. The court was like 
\ camp ; every avenue was crowded by warlike nobles 
uid hardy cavaliers, v/itli their splendid retinues, and 
lousehold troops. "Every body was engrossed by the 
opening campaign. 

2. Even the priest, Fernando de Talavera, to whom 
Columbus brought his letter of recommendation, and 
on whom he reckoned as a patron and protector wa» 



18 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

completely taken up with military concerns. He listened 
but coldly to Columbus, regarding his plan of discovery 
as extravagant and impossible. 

3. The campaign opened almost immediately ; the 
king took the field in ])erson ; the queen was part of the 
time present in the camp, and continually occupied by 
the hurrying concerns of the war. Under such circum- 
stances, Columbus found it impossible to obtain a hearing'. 

4. Humiliation was added to disappointment. He 
had to endure the ridicule of the light and supercilious. 
tSome scofled at him as a dreamer, others as an adven- 
turer ; the very children were tauglit to consider him a 
madman, and pointed at their foreheads as he passed. 

5. Indeed, the slender interest on v/hich he founded 
his hopes of royal patronage, merely, " the letter of a 
gray friar," and the simple and poor apparel in which 
liis iiKligence compelled him to appear, formed a prepos- 
terous contrast in the eyes of the courtiers, with the 
magnificence of his speculations. He waited patiently, 
however, in the hope of a more favourable opportunity to 
urge his suit, and in the mean time 8upi)orted himself by 
making maps and charts. * 

6. While thus lingering in Cordova, he became attach- 
ed to a lady of that city, of noble family,- named Beatrix 
Enriquez. Like most of the circumstances of this part 
of his life, his connexio.i witli her is wrapped in obscu- 
rity, but appears never to have been sanctioned by mar- 
riage. She was the mother of his seco:id son Fernando, 
who became his historian, and whom he always treated 
on terms of perfect equality with his legitimate son 
Diego. 

7. By degrees the attention of m-^n of reflection began 
to be drawn to this solitary individual, who, almost un- 
supported, was endeavouring to make his way, with so 
singular a proposition, to the foot of the throne. Who- 
ever conversed with him, wris struck with the dignity of 
liis manners, the earnest sincerity of his discourse, and 
the force. of his reasoning. 

8. Among the warmest of his proselytes v/as, AJonzo 
de Quintanilla, comptroller of the finances of Castile, 
who received him as a guest into his house. Above 



Of COLUMBUS. 19 

all, he was fortunate in securing- the countenance of 
Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza, archbishop of Toledo, 
and grand cardinal of Spain. This was a man of great 
talents and endowments, who was consulted by the sove- 
reigns on all occasions of consequence, and possessed 
such influence over them, as to be facetiously called 
" the third king of Spain." Tlirough the mediation of 
the grand cardinal, the long sought for audience of the 
king was at length obtained. 

9. Columbus appeared in the presence of the monarch 
with modesty, yet self-possession. His mind was eleva- 
ted by the importance of his errand ; for he felt, as he 
afterwards declared, animated as if by a sacred fir j from 
above, and considered himself an instrument in the hand 
of heaven to accomplish its grand designs. 

10. Ferdinand was too keen a judge of men not to 
appreciate his character. He perceived, also, that his 
scheme had scientific and practical foundations, and 
might lead to discoveries far exceeding those which 
had shed such gloty upon Portugal. He ordered Fer- 
nando de Talavera, the prior of Prado, to assemble the 
ablest men of science of the kingdom, to hold a con- 
ference with Columbus, and report their opinion as to 
the merits of his theory. 

11. Columbus now consider .-'d the day of success at 
hand ; he had been deceived by courtiers, and scoffed at by 
the vulgar and the ignorant ; but he was now to appear be- 
fore the most learned and enlightened men, elevated, aa 
lie supposed, above narrow prejudice and selfish interest. 
From the dispassionate examination of such a body of 
sages, he could not but anticipate a triumphant verdict. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Columbus before the Council at Salamanca. 

1. The interesting conference took place at Sala- 
manca, the great seat of learning in Spain. It was held 
Ml the dominican convent of St. Stephen, the most scien- 



so UrS AHD VOYAOB9 

^c college in the university. The hall of the old 
convent presented a striking spectacle ; a simple manner 
standing forth before an array of collegiate sages, learned 
friars, and august dignitaries of the church, maintaining 
a novel theor}' , by the aid of natural eloquence, and, as it 
Were, pleading the cause of the new world. 

2. The greater part of this learned junto, it would ap- 
pear, came prepossessed against him, as men in place 
and power are too apt to be against poor apphcants. 
There is always a proneness to consider a theorist under 
examination as a kind of delmquent or impostor, upon 
trial, who is to be detected and exposed. 

3. Columbus too, was but little fitted to win favour in 
scholastic eyes ; an obscure navigator, member of no 
learned institution, destitute of all the trappings, am 
titles, and diplomas, which sometimes give oracular au. 
thority to dulness;, and depending merely upon the 
force of natural genius. 

4. Some of the assembly considered him an adventurer, 
or, at best, a visionary ; others scornfully observed, that, 
after so many profound philosophers had occupied them- 
selves in geographical investigations, and so many able 
navigators had been voyaging about the world for ages, 
it argued great presumption in an ordina-y man to sup- 
pose there remained so vast a discovery for him to make. 

5. Several of the objections opposed by this learned 
body will appear glaringly absurd at the present day. 
Thus the very idea of antipodes, and of the globular form 
of the earth, vras scouted on the authority of one of the 
ancient fathers of the church. 

6. "How absurd," said he, "to believe that there are 
pcQple with tlieir foet opposite to ours ; who walk with 
tlieir heels upward and their heads hangiiig down ; that 
there is a part of the world in wliich all things are topsy- 
tun'y ; where tlie trec^s grow witli their branches down- 
ward, and where it rains, Jiails, and snows upward ! The 
idea of the roundness of the earth," he adds, " was the 
cause of inventing this fable ; for when philosophers have 
once erred, they go on in their absurdities, defending one 
with another." 

7. Tiiese objections, which may excite a smile in the 



OF COLUHBU». 2| 

present enlightened age, were excusable at the time, con* 
eidering' the imperfect state of knowledge. The rotundi* 
ty of the earth was as yet a mere matter of specalatioj>,j 
no one could tell wliether the ocean was not too vast tp 
be traversed, nor were the laws of specific gravity and of 
central gravitation ascertained, by which, granting the 
earth to be a sphere, the possibiUty of making the circuit 
of it, and of standing on opposite sides, would be manifest, 

8. But beside these and many other scientific objec- 
tions, others of a graver nature were urged, partaking of 
the bigotry of the age, and savouring more of the cloister 
than the college. These went to prove that the theory 
under discussion was incompatible with the historica'l 
foundations of the Christian faith, and in open contradic- 
tion to certain specified passages of the Bible. 

9. Columbus in the outset of the conference had been 
daunted by the greatness of his task, and the august na- 
ture of his auditory ; but he was sustained by what he 
considered a divine impulse, and he was of an ardent tem- 
perament,that became heated in action by its own generous 
fire. All scientific objections he cooJy combated by his own 
knowledge and experience, but at the scriptural objections, 
his visionary spirit took fire. 

10. We are told of his commanding person, his ele- 
vated demeanour, his kindling eye, and the persuasive 
tones of his voice. How must they have given force 
to his words, as, casting aside his maps and charts, he 
met his opponents upon their religious ground, pouring 
forth those magnificent texts of scripture, and those 
mysterious predictions of the prophets, which he con- 
sidered types and annunciations of the sublime discovery 
which he proposed ! 

11. Many of his hearers, in fact, were convinced by his 
reasoning, and warmed by his eloquence ; the majority, 
however, with the inert bigotry, and pedantic pride of 
cloistered life, refused to yield to the demonstrations of an 
obscure and unlearned foreigner, and, though the board 
held several subsequent conferences, it came to do 
decision. 

12. For several years Columbus was kept in suspense, 
following the movements of the sovereigns in their ex- 



23 LIFE AND VOYACBa 

peditions against the kingdom of Granada, and was thtw 
present at some of the most striking scenes of this wild, 
rugged, and mountainous war. In one of the severest 
campaigns, he is said to have distinguished liimself by 
his personal pro^yess. His expenses, while thus follow^- 
ing the court, were defrayed by the sovereigns, and hopes 
were continually given that his suit would be attended 
to ; but the tempest of warlike .affairs, which hurried the 
court from place to place, swept away all matters ef less 
immediate importance. 

13. At length, in the w^inter of 1491, when the sove- 
reigns were about to depart on another campaign, Co- 
lumbus, losing all patience, pressed for a decisive reply. 
The learned counsel of Salamanca being, in consequence, 
called upon to report their decision, informed the sove- 
reigns that the majority of their body condemned the 
scheme as vain and impossible, and coi;isidered it unbe- 
coming such great princes to engage in an undertaking 
of the kind, on such weak grounds as had been advanced. 

14. Notwithstanding this decision, the sovereigns stU] 
held out hopes, that, after the war slio-ald be concluded, 
they woidd be inclined to treat about the matter ; but Co- 
lumbus gave up all hope of countenance from the throne, 
and turned his back upon Seville, indignant at the 
delays and disappointments he had experienced. 

—.«©©«— 

CHAPTER Vm. 

Columbus seeks patronage amongst the Spanish Grandees. 
Returns to the convent of La Rabida. Resumes his 
negotiations with the Sovereigns. [1491.] 

1. Columbus now sought to engage the patronage of 
the Dukes of Medina Sidonia, and Medina Cell. Both 
were powerful Grandees, whose principalities lay on the 
sea board, where they had ports, and shipping, and troops, 
and mariners, at their command. He had many inter- 
views with them severally, and was flattered by both 
with hopes of success, but both finally disappointed him. 



OF COLUMBUS. 23 

2. He then determined to repair to Paris, having 
received a favourable ropiy to an application which he 
had made by letter, to the king" of France. He departed, 
therefore, for the convent of La Rabida, to take thence 
hia eldest son Diego, and leave him with his other son at 
Cordova. 

3. When the worthy Friar Juan Perez beheld him ar- 
ive once more at the gate of liis convent, humble in garb, 

\nd oast down in spirit, he was greaily moved; but 
^rhen he found that he v/as about to seek the employ of 
another g-overninent, his patriotism took the alarm. 

4. He h-ad been confessor to the queen ; a sacred offica 
which g-ives a priest an almost })aternal privilege of 
advising. Availing himself of tiiis, he wrote to Isabella, 
strongly vindicating the scheme of Columbus, and con- 
juring lier not to reject an enterprise so glorious for Spain. 

5. This letter vras despatched by an honest pilot of the 
neighbourhood ; and Columbus was persuaded to await 
the reply. It arrived in the course of a fortnight, and 
v»'as extremely encouraging. The queen thanked Juan 
Perez for his timely services, and requested him to repair 
immediately to the court, that ^ she might confer with 
him ; while Col ami" 'Js should remain at the convent 
until further orders 

6. Before midnight, tnt warm hearted friar had saddled 
'lis mule and departed. So effectual were his interces- 
sions, that in a short time, Columbus received a sum- 
mons to court, and money to enable him to appear 
there in befitting stylo. He accordingly exchanged hia 
thread-bare garment for one of more courtly texture, and, 
purchasing a mule, set out, reanimated with fresh hopes, 
for the camp at Santa Ft-', belbre Granada. 

7. He arrived in time to witness the memorable sur- 
render of that capital to the Spanish anns. He beheld 
Boabdil, the last of the Moorish kings, sally fortli from the 
Alluimbra, and yield up the keys of that favourite seat of 
Moslem power ; while the king and queen, with all the 
chivalry and magnificence of Spain, moved forv/ard in 
proud and solemn procession, to receive this token of 
snbraission. The air resounded with shouts of joy, with 
\:ODga of triumph, and hymns of thanksgiving. Oa 



Si LIPB AND VOYAGES 

every side were beheld military rejoicings and relig-ioua 

oblations. 

8. During this brilliant and triumphant scene, says an 
elegant Spanish writer, " A man, obscure and but little 
known, followed the court. Confounded in the crowd of 
importunate applicants, and feeding his imagination, in 
the corners of antechambers, with the pompous project 
of discovering a world, he was melancholy and dejected 
in the midst of the general rejoicing, and beheld with in- 
difference, almost with contempt, the conclusion of a 
conquest \yhich swelled all bosoms with jubilee, and 
seemed to have reached the utmost bounds of desire. 
That man was Christopher Columbus." 

9. The moment had now arrived, however, when tho 
monarchs stood pledged to attend to liis proposals. They 
kept their word, and persons of contidence were appoint- 
ed to negotiate with him. At the very outset, liow- 
ever, unexpected difficulties arose. Columbus demanded 
that he should be made Viceroy and Admiral of all the 
countries he should discover, and receive one tenth of all 
the gains. 

10. The courtiers were indignant at a demand of such 
titles and privileges, by one whom they regarded as 
a needy adventurer. One sneered at him, as devising a 
selfish bargain, wherein he had every thing to gain and 
nothing to lose. Upon this Columbus promptly offered 
to be at one eighth of the cost, provided he were ensured 
an eighth of the profits. 

11. His terms, however, were pronounced inadmissU 
ble, and others more moderate were suggested in stead ; 
but Columbus refused to cede the least point, either of 
profit or dignity, and the negotiation was broken off. 

12. It is Impossible not to admire the great constancy 
of purpose and loftiness of spirit here displayed by Co- 
lumbus. Though so large a portion of life had worn 
away in fruitless soliciting?, during which he had expe- 
rienced poverty, neglect, ridicule, and disappointment ; 
though there was no certainty that he would not have to 
enter upon the same career at any other court ; yet no- 
thing coidd make him descend to terms which he con- 
aidered beneath the dignity of his enterprise. 



OP COLUMBUS. 



25 



13. Indignant at tlie repeated disappointments he had 
experienced in Spain, he now determined to abandon it 
for ever, and, mounting his mule, salhed forth from Santa 
F^, on liis way to Cordova, with the intention of imme- 
diateiy proceeding from thence to France. 

14. The friends of Columbus beheld his departure with 
despair : two of them, Luis de St. Angel, and Alonzo 
de Quintanilla, resolved to make one last effort in the 
cause. Hastening to the queen, they once more vin- 
dicated the enterprise, with tiie courage and eloquence 
which honest zeal inspires, and implored her to secure 
the glorious prize, before it was too late. 

15. The generous spirit of Isabella was roused by this 
last appeal, Slie was eager for the enterprise ; but she 
remembered that king Ferdinand looked coldly upon it, 
and that the royal treasury v/as drained by the war. 
Her suspense was but momentary. " I undertake it," 
said she, " for my own crown of Castile, and will pledge 
my jewels to raise the necessary funds." 

16. This wa.s the proudest moment in the life of Isa- 
bella ; it stamped her renown for ever as the patroness 
of the discovery of the New World. Her generous of- 
fer to pledge her jewels was not claimed ; St. Angel, 
who was receiver of the church revenues of Arragon, 
promised to advance tbe requisite money, as a loan, from 
his official treasury. 

17. A courier was sent in all haste to call back Colum- 
bus. He was overtaken at the bridge of Pinos, about two 
leagues from Granada ; but hesitated to return and 
subject himself to further delays and disappointments. 
When he understood, however, that Isabella had pledged 
her word to undertake the enterprise, every doubt was 
dispelled ; he turned tlie reins of his mule, and hastened 
back joyfully to Santa Fe, confiding implicitly in the 
noble probity of that princess. 



2$ tilFK AND VOYAGES 

CHAPTER IX. 

ArTangenimU ivitli tlie Spanish Sovereigns. Prepara- 
lions for departure. [1492.] 

1. On arriving- at Santa Fe, Columbus was admitted 
immediately to tlie prcgencc of Isabella, and the benignity 
of his reception atoned for all past neglect. Through 
deference to the zeal she had thus suddenly displayed, 
the king yielded his tardy concurrence ; but Isabella wwj 
the soul of this grand enterprise. 

2. A perfect understanding being now effected witli 
the sovereigns, articles of agreement were drawn up> 
to the following effect : — 

1. That Columbus should have, for himself during hii» 
life, and his heirs and successors for ever, the office of 
higli admiral in all the seas, lands, and continents, he 
might discover, with similar honours and prerogatives 
to those enjoyed by the high admiral of Castile, in his 
district. 

2. That ho should bo viceroy and governor general 
-over all the said lands and continents, with the privilege 
of nominating three candidates for the government of 
each island or province, one of whom should be selected 
by the sovereigns. 

3. That he should bo entitled fo one tenth of all free 
profits, arising from the merchandise and productions of 
the countries within his admiralty. 

4. That he, or his lieutenant, should be the sole judge 
of all causes and disputes arising out of traffick between 
those countries and Spain. 

5. Tiiat he might then, and at all after times, con- 
tribute an eighth part of the expense of cxped'tions to 
sail to tlio countries he expected to discover, and should 
receive m consequence an eighth part of the profits. 

3. Tliese capitulations were signed by Ferdinand and 
'Isabella, tit the city of Santa Fe, in the vega or plain of 
'Granada, on the 17th of April, 1492. All the royal 
'documents, issued in consequence, bore equally the sig- 
natures of Ferdinand and IsabeUa, but her separate crown. 
•of Castile defrayed all the expense. 



OF COLUV.BUS. 2'7 

4. One of tlie g-reat objects held out by Colnmbrrs iri 
his undertaking-, was the propagation of tlio Christiai-h 
faith. He expected to Wnd barbarous and iuiidel nsftions- 
in the unknown parts of the east, and to ^nsit the terrii- 
tories of tlie Grand Khan, whos3 conversion' liad i?j for- 
mer times baen an object of pious missions. The sove- 
reigns concurred with him in these ideas, an fly when he 
afcervrards departed on his voyai^'O, they act»allj gave- 
him letters addressed to the Grand Khan of Tartary. 

5. Tsor did Jiis rehg-ious zeal st'op here. He esmest- 
iy proposed that the profits which niight arise from hi:?- 
discoveries, mig-Jit be consecrated to a crusade t& rescue 
the holy sepidchre at Jerusalem, from the power of the~ 
infidels. In fact, this pious but romantic enterprise was 
a leadintT- object of h^s ambition throughout his subsequent 
hfe, and ho considered his great discovery bnt as a dis;- 
pensation of Providence, to furnisli means for the re- 
covery of the Holy Sepulchre. 

6. The agreement with the sovereig-ns being- conertidedv 
Columbus was emj)0wered to fit out tln-ee ships for the 
enterprise. The only restriction put upon his vetyaw" 
was, tiiat lie should avoid the coast of Guinea, and aii 
other places included in the recent discoveries o<' 
Portug-al. 

t 7. Th.e port of Palos do Moguer was fixed upon as th^ 
place of embarcation. The commmiity of that town- 
were under oblitratio'is, for some misdemeanour^ to serve 
the crown for oni; year witli two caravels. Columbu.*r 
received an order upon tin.' authorities of Palos, to fit thes-t.-' 
caravels tor sea within ten days, aiid to place thern an(? 
their crews at his disposition. 

8. Orders were issued also, commanding the inhabi- 
tants of the sea-board of Andalusia, to liirnish all sup- 
plies and assistance to tlie expedition, at reasonubie- 
rates, and threatening all such as should cause any in>- 
pediment with severe penalties. 

9. As a mark of particular favour to Columhuf, Isav 
bella, before his departure from the court, ap))ointed his son 
Diego page to Prince Juan, tlie heir a])parent^ arr honour 
granted only to the sons of persons of distinguished rank 
Thus gratified in his dearest wishes, Cdiaaiibas took 



28 LIFE AND VOYAGK8 

leave of the court on the 12th of May, and set out joyfully 
for Palos. 

10. Let those who are disposed to faint under dif- 
ficulties in the prosecution of any great and worthy un- 
deitaking remember, that eighteen years elapsed after 
Columbus conceived his enterprise, before he was en- 
abled to carry it into effect ; that the most of that time 
was passed in almost hopaless solicitation, amidst pover- 
ty, neglect, and taunting ridicule ; that the prime of hia 
life had wasted away in the struggle ; and that, when his 
perseverance was finally crowned with success, he was 
about fifty-six years of ago. His example should teach 
the enterprising never to despair. 

11. Columbus was received with open arms by Juan 
Perez, at the convent of La Rabida. The zealouc friar 
accompanied him to the parochial church of St. George, 
in Palos, where the royal order for the caravels was 
read by a notary public, in presence of the authorities of 
the place. 

12. Nothing could equal the astonishment and horror 
of the community, when they learnt the nature of the 
expedition, in which they w-ere ordered to engage. All 
tlie frightful tales and fables with which ignorance 
and superstition are prone to people obscure and distant 
regions were conjured up concerning the unknown parts 
of the deep, and the boldest seamen shrunk from such a 
wild and chimerical cruise into the wilderness of the ocean. 

13. Repeated mandat'-s were issued by the sovereigns, 
ordering the magistrates of Palos, and the neighbouring 
town of Moguer, to press into the service any Spanish 
vessels and crews they might tliink proper, and threaten- 
ing severe punishments on all who should prove refrac- 
tory. It w^as all in vain ; the communities of those 
places were thrown into complett; confusion ; tumults 
and altercations took place, but nothing of consequence 
was effected, 

14. At length Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the wealthy and 
enterprising navigator already mentioned, stepped for- 
ward in the cause. He v.as joined by his brother Vi- 
cente Yanez Pinzon, who was likewise an able navigator. 
They supplied ColumbiLs with funds to pay the eighth 



OF COLUMBUS. 



29 



part of the expense, which he had engaged to advance ; 
and furnished two of the vessels required. They, more- 
over, agreed to sail in the expedition. 

15. The example and persuasions of the Pinzons had 
a wonderful effect ; for they were related to many of the 
seafaring people of the neighbourhood, and had great in- 
fluence among them. M^ny of their relations and friends 
agreed to embark, and the two vessels were ready for 
sea within a month. 

It). The third vessel was slower in its equipment. It 
had been pressed into tlie seiTice against the will of the 
owners and the crew, who were strongly repugnant to 
the voyage. These people did all they could to throw 
obstacles in the way of the voyage, and prevent the sail- 
ing of the ships, so that Columbus had to use harsh and 
arbitrary measures with them. At length all difficulties 
were vanquished, and, by the beginning of August, the 
vessels were ready to- sail. 

17. After all the objections made by various courts to 
undertake this expedition, it is surprising how inconside- 
rable was tlie armament required. Two of the vessels 
were light barques, called caravels, not superior to river 
and coasting craft of modern days. They were built 
high at the prow and stern, with forecastles and cabins 
for the crew, but were without deck in the centre. 

18. Only one of the three, called the Santa Maria, was 
completely decked, on beard of which Columbus hoisted 
his flag. Martin Alonzo Pinzon commanded one of the 
caravels, called the Pinta, and was accompanied by his 
brother, Francisco Martin,. as mate or pilot. The other, 
called the Nina,* had latine sails, and was commanded 
by Vicente Vanez Pinzon. The whole number of per- 
sons embarked was one hundred and twenty. 

19. The squadron being ready to put to sea, Columbus 
confessed himself to the^'riar Juan Perez, and partook 
of the communion ; and me example was followed by the 
officers and crews, committing themselves, .with devout 
ceremonials, to the especial guidance and protection of 
heaven, in tliis perilous enterprise. 

* rroQOunccd Ninya. The h in always pronounced as irfollowedbjr jb 

3* 



30 



LIFE AND VOYAGES 



^ 20. A deep g-loom was spread over \he whole commu- 
nity of Palos, tor almost every one had ?ome relation or 
friend on board of the squadron. The spirits of the sea- 
men, already depressed by tlieir own tears, were stii] 
more cast down, at brholding-tJic aliiiction of those thoy 
lett behind, who took leave of them v/ith tears and lamen- 
tations, as of men they were never to behold again. 

CHAPTER X. 

Events of the first Voyage. 

1. It was early in the morn in or of Friday the 3d of 
August, 1492, that Columbus put to sea, steering- for the 
Canary Islands, Irom whence he intended to strike due 
west. 

2. As a gfuide by which to sail, he had a chart, on 
which the coasts of Europe and Africa were laid down as 
known to geographers ; and opposite to them were placed 
the sliores of Asia, according to the description of Marco 
Polo ; with the intervening island of Cipango, (or Ja- 
pan,) at which Columbus expected first to arrive, as at 
a resting place. 

3. On the third day after setting sail, the Pinta mado 
signal of distress, her rudder being broken and unhung. 
Columbus was mucli disturbed at the occurrence. He 
suspected it to have been done through the contrivance 
of the owners, and feared further difficulties from that 
quarter. 

4. For three weeks he cniised among the Canary 
islands, in hopes of finding some other vessel to replace 
the Pinta ; but not meeting with any, he had her repair- 
ed, and furnished with a new ^^dder. 

5. While making these repairs, and taking in wood 
and water, news came that thrpe Portuguese caravels 
had been seen hovering oft* the island of Fcrro. Colum- 
bus, who was tremblingly alive to any thing that might 
impede his e.xpedition, feared that those vessels might 
be sent in pursuit of him by the king of Portuga]. 



' OF COLU-MBUS. Ul 

'J. Ea^cr to get far upon the ocean, out of sighl 
either of land or sai], he put to sea early on the morning 
of the 6th of September, but for three clays was tantalized 
by a proibund calm, wliich detained him within a short 
distance of the island. At lengtli, on the 9th, a breeze 
sprunc^ up with the sun, and in the course of the day, the 
heights of Ferro gradually faded from the horizon. 

7. On losing sight of this last trace of land, the hearts 
of the crews failed tliem, for they seemed to have taken 
leave of the vrorld. Behind them was every thing dear 
to the heart of man — country, family, friends, lite itself;, 
before them every thing was chaos, mystery, and peril. 
Many of the rugged seamen shed tears, and some broke' 
into loud lamentations. 

8. Columbus tried to soothe them by splendid accounts 
of the countries he expected to discover ; promising them 
riches, estates, and all mamier of delights ; nor were, 
these promises made for purposes of deception, for jio 
certainly believed he would realize them all. 

9. Foreseeing that the vague terrors already aw^aken- 
ed would increase the farther they thought themselves 
from land, he determined to keep his crews ignorant of 
the real distance they advanced. He kept, therefore, 
two reckonings of the sailing of the ships; one private 
and correct, for his own use ; the other open to general 
inspection, in which a number of leagues was subtracted 
from each day's progrct^s. 

10. When about one hundred and fifty leagues v/est 
of Ferro, they fell in with a part of a mast of a large ves- 
sel, and the crews, easily dismayed by every portent, 
looked with a rueful eye upon this fragment of a wreck, , 
drifting ominously at the entrance of these unknown sea.?. 

11. On the 153th of September, in the evening, Co- 
lumbus, for the first time, noticed the variation of the 
needle, a phenomenon which had never before been re- 
marked. He at first made no mention of it, lest his peo- 
ple siiould be alarmed ; but it soon attracted the attention 
of the pilots, and filled them with consternation. 

12. They apprehended that the compass was about, to 
lose its mysterious virtues ; and, without this guide, what 
was to become of them in a vast and trackless ocean 1 



32 



LIFE ANJ> VOYAGES 



Columbus tasked his science and ingenuity for reasons 
with which to allay their terrors. 

13. He told them that the direction of the needle was 
not to the polar star, hut to some fixed and invisible 
point. The variation, therefore, was not caused by any 
fallacy in tlie compass, but by tlie movement of the north 
star itself, which, like the other heavenly bodies, had its 
changes and revolutions, and every day described a circle 
round the pole. The high opinion they entertained of 
Columbus as a profound astronomer gave weight to his 
theor)'-, and their alarm subsided. 
^ 14. They had now arrived within the influence of the 
^ trade wind, which, following thd sun, blows steadily from 
east to west between the tropics, and sweeps over a few 
adjoinhig degrees of the ocean. With this propitious 
breeze directly aft, they were wafted gently but speedily 
over a tranquil sea, so that for many days they did not 
ehifb a sail. 

15. Columbus in his journal perpetually recurs to the 
bland and temperate serenity of the weather, and com- 
pares the pure and balmy mornings to those of April in 
Andalusia, observing, that the sung of the nightingale 
was alone wanting to complete the illusion. 

16.' They now bngan to see large patches of herbs and 
weeds all drifting from the west. Some were such as 
grow about rocks or in rivers, and as green as if recently 
washed from the land. On one of the patches was a live 
crab. They saw also a white tropical bird, of a kind 
which never sleeps upon the sea ; and tunny iish played 
about the ships.,_„.^'*i..^^,^-v,x-v .>^~>-' v.*< • • - ' 
y 17. As they advanced, various other signs gave ani- 
•mation to the crews. Many birds were seen flying from 
the west ; there was a cloudiness in the north, such as 
often hangs over land ; and at sunset the imagination of 
the seamen, aided by their desires, would shape those 
clouds into distant islands.- Every one was eager to be 
the first to behold and announce the wished-for shore ; 
for the sovereigns had promised a pensionof thirty crowns 
to whomso-^ver should first, discover land.-;.- 

18. Columbus sounded occasionally with a line of two 
hundred fathoms, but found no bottom. . Martin Alonzo 



OF COLUMBUS. 33 

Pmzon, as well as others of his officers, and many of the 
seamen, ware often solicitous for Columbus to alter his 
course, a. id steer in the direction of these favourable 
signs ; but he persevered in steering" to the westward, 
trusting- that, by keeping- in one steady direction, he 
should reach the coast of India, even if he should miss 
the intervening islands. 

19. Notvv'ithstauding the precaution which had been 
taken to keep the people ignorant of the distaiice they 
sailed, they gradually became uneasy at the length of 
the voyage. They had advanced much farther to the 
west than ever man had sailed before, and though alreai^- 
beyond the reacli of succour, v/ere still pressing^^f^d 
and onward into that apparently boundless nhymr 

20. Even the favourable wind, which seMed as if 
providentially sent to waft them to the new^orld with 
bland and gentle breezes, was conjured by th^r fears into 
a source of alarm. They feared that the^Kd in these 
seas might always prevail from tlie east, ^^if so, would 
never permit tlieir return to Spain. ^m 

21. A few light breezes from the wfi^Rillayed for a 
time their last apprehension, and sev^B small birds, 
>;uch as keep about groves and orchardaKme snigmg in 
tiie morning, and flew away at night. •Their song was 
wonderfully cheering to tiie hearts of the poor mariners, 
who hailed it as the voice cf land. The birds they had 
hitherto seen- had been large and strong of wing ; but 
such small birds, they observed, were too feeble to fly 
far, and their singing showed that they were not ex- 
hausted by tiieir flight. 

22. On the following day there was a profound calm. 
Tlie sea, as far as the eye could reach, was covered with 
those submarine weeds which are detached by currents 
from the bottom of the ocean, so that it had the appear- 
ance of a vast inundated meadow, t 

23. The seamen now feared that the sea was growing 
shalldV, or might have shoals, and rocks, and quick- 
sands. They dreaded lest their vessels should be 
stranded as it were, in mid-ocean, far out of the track 
of human aid, and Vv'ith no sliore where the crews could 
take refuge. Columbus proved the fallacy of thiB 



34 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

alarm, by sounding with a deep sea-line, and finding- no 
bottom. 

24. For three days there was a continuance of light 
suuimsr airs, from the southward and wt-slward, and the 
sea was as smooth as a mirror. The crews now became 
uneasy at the cahnness of the weather. . Tiiey observed 
that the contrary winds they cxi)erienccd wx»re transient 
and unstcaHy, and so light as not to rutile the surface of 
the sea ;\tne only winds of constancy and force were 
fram the east, and even those liad not power to disturb 
the torpid stillness of llie ocean : there was a risk, there- 
fose, either of perishing amidst shoreless waters, or of 
being prevented, by contrary winds, trom ever returning 
to their native country. 

25. Columbus continued, with admirable patience, to 
reason witlUhe.se ab?iird fancies, but in vain ; vvhen for- 
tunately theii^' came on a heavy swell of the sea, unac- 
companied by^wind, a phenomenon that often occui*s in 
the broad ocean, caused by the impulse of some past gale, 
or distant current of wind. It was, nevertheless, regard- 
ed with astonishment by the marinersi, and dispelled the 
imaginary terjia^ occasioned by the calm. 

20. The siu^on of Columbus was d;iily becoming 
more and more critical. The impatience of the seamen 
nose to absolute mutiny. They exclauned against him 
as an ambitious desjjerado, bent upon doing somethijig 
extravagant to render himself notorions. • 

27. What obligation bound them to continue on ? They 
had already penetratr'd into seas where man had never 
before adventurs-'d. W(^re they to sail on until they should 
all perish, or return with their frail ships be impossible] 
Who would blame thein should they consult their own 
safety? The admiral was a foreigner, without friends; 
his scheme had been condemned by the learned ; there 
was no ])arty in Its favour, and many wlio would be grati- 
(led by his failure. 

28. Some even went so far as to propose, that they 
should throw iiim intx) the sea, and give out that he had 
fallen overboard wliile contemplating the stars with his 
astronomical instruments. Columbus was not ignorant 
;-«f these cabals, but ho kept a serene and steudfttst couu- 



or COLVMBVS. 8& 

teiiance, soothing some with gentle words, stimulating 
the pride or the avarice of others, and openly menacing 
the most refractory with puni-chnient. 

29. On the 25ih of September, new hopes arose to 
divert the public discontent. Martin Alonzo Pinzon, 
mounting- on the stern of his vessel, shouted, " Land ! 
land I Senor, I claim the reward." There was, indeed, 
such an appearance of land in the south-west, that Co- 
■umbus himself was persuaded of tlie fact. / ^ 

30. Throwing hnnself upon his knees, he gavoijt'hanlif 
<D God, and all the crews joined in chanting- (horia ?^..- 
e^rcelsis. /Vltering the course of the ships, thejStetood tJ. 
Bight for the ])romised shore, but the morning light pu> 
an end to their hopes aa to a dream ; the 'fiincied lanC 
proved nothing but an evening clo'dd, and^fead vanished 
in the night. , ^- 

J31. By tiie 7th of October, they had come seven iiun- 
dred and fiily leagues, the distance at which Colunjbus 
had computed to iind the island of Cteango. Signs of 
land had multiplied for several days ^st. There were 
now great fliglits of small field birds m the south-west, 
whicli seemed to indicate some neighbouring land in 
hat direction, were they were sure of Tood and a rest- 
ing-place. 

o2. Yielding to the solicitations of Martin Alonzo 
Pinzon, and his brothers, Columbus, on the evening of 
the Till, altered his course to the west soutli-west. As 
he advanced, tlie signs of land increased ; the birds came 
singing about the ships ; and herbage floated by as fresh 
and green as if recently from shore.* When, however, 
on the evening of the third day of this new course, the 
seamen beheld tlie sun go down upon a slioreless horizon, 
tliey again broke forth into loud clamours, and insisted 
upon abandoning the voyage. 

33. Coinmbus endeavoured to pacify them by gentle 
words and liberal promises ; but, finding these only m- 
creased their violence, he assumed a different tone, and 
told them it was useless to murmur ; the expedition had 
been sent by the soverein-ns to seek the Indies, and, hap. 
pen what might, he was determined to persevere, until, bj 
the blessing of God, he should accomplish the enterprise. 



3D LIFE AND VOYAGES 

34. He was now at open defiance with his crew, and 
his situation would have been desperate, but, fortunately, 
the manifestations of land on the following- day were such 
as no longer to admit of doubt. A green fish, such as 
ke^^ps about rocks, swam by tlie ships ; and a branch of 
tl/orn, with berries on it, floated by : they picked up, 
alfeo, a ree<l, a small board, and, above all, a stafl' artificial- 
ly larved. All gloom and murmuring was now at an 
endmnd throughout the day each one was on the watcl) 
for tn^ong-sought land. 

" 35. ^k the evening, when, according to custom, the 
marinera|had sung the vesper liymn to the virgin, Co- 
lumbus n™de an impressive address to his crew, pointing 
out the goollness of God in thus conducting them by soft 
and favouriflb breezes across a tranquil ocean to the 
promised land^ 

36. He exposed a strong confidence of making land 
that very niglmand ordered that a vigilant look-out 
should be kept f»m the forecastle, promising to whom- 
soever should mMve the discovery a doublet of velvet, m 
addition to the pension to be given by the sovereigns. 

37. The breeze had been fresh all day, with more sea 
than usual ; at sunset they stood again to the west, and 
were ploughing the waves at a rapid rate, the Pinta 
keeping the lead from her superior sailing. The 
greatest animation prevailed throughout the sliips ; not 
an eye was closed that night. As the evening darkened, 
Columbus took his station on the top of the castle or 
cabin on the high stern of his vessel, where he maintain- 
ed an intense and 'unremitting watch. 

" 38. Suddenly, about ten o'clock, he thought he beheld 
? light glimmermg at a distance. Fearing that his eager 
hopes might deceive him, he called to one of his officers 
named Pedro Gutierrez, and demanded whether he saw 
a light in that direction ; the latter replied in the affirma- 
tive. Columbus, yet doubtful whether it might not be 
some delusion of the fancy, called Rodrigo Sanchez of 
Segovia, and made the same inquiry. By the time the 
latter had ascended the round-house, the light had dis- 
appeared. 
39. They saw it once or twice aflerwartls in 8udd«ft 



OP COLUMBUS. 37' 

and passing gleams, as if it were a torch in the bark of a 
fisherman, rising and sinking with the waves ; oAn the 
hands of some person on shore, borne up and down as he 
walked from house to house. So transient and uncer- 
tain were these gleams, that few attached any importance 
to them ; Columbus, however, considered them as 
certain signs of land, and, moreover, that the land was 
inhabited. ^. 

40. They continued on their course until two in the 
morning, when a gun from the Pinta gave the. joyful sig- 
nal of land, which was first descried by a mariner named 
Rodriguez Bermejo.* It was soon after clearly seen 
about two leagues distant, whereupon they took in sail, 
and laid to, waiting impatiently for the daw^n. 

41. The thoughts and feelings of Columbus in this 
little space of time must have been tumultuous and in- 
tense. At length, in spite of every difficulty and danger, 
he had accomplished his object. The great mystery ot 
the ocean was revealed ; his theory, which had been the 
scoff of sages, was triumphantly established ; he had 
secured to himself a glory which must be as durable as 
the world itself. 

42. It is difficult even for the imagination to conceive 
the<feelings of such a man, at the moment of so sublime 
a discovery. What a crowd of conjectures must have 
thronged upon iiis mind, as to the land which lay before 
him, covered with darkness ! That it was fruitful was 
evident from the vegetables which floated from its shores. 
He thought, too, that he perceived in the balmy air the 
fragrance of aromatic groves. The moving light which 
he liad beheld, proved that it was the residence of man. 

43r'But what were its inhabitants ] Were they like 
those of other parts of the globe ; or were thej' some 
strange and monstrous race, such ^jtkB imagination in 
those times was prone to give ^|dd^Hpte and unknown 
regions 1 Had he come upon ^J^^^Pu island, far in the 
Indian seas ; or was this the "^W^rCipango itself, the 
object of his golden fancies .1 

44. A thousand speculations of the kind must have 



I * Frouounccd Bcrineiu^ 



-38 . L.IFE AND VOYAGES 

swarmed upon him, as he watched for the nig-ht to pasa 
awaji^ wondering- whether the morning hght would re- 
ved^ savao-e wilderness, or dawn upon spicy groves, 
and glittering fanes, and gilded cities, and ail the splen- 
dours of oriental civilization. 

— ^«©©«— 

► CHAPTER XL 

first landing of Columhus in the New World, Cruwe 
among the Bahama Islands. Discovery of Cuha and 
Hispaniola. [1402.] 

1. When the day dawned, Columbus saw before him 
a level and beautiful island, several leag-ues in extent, of 
great freshness and verdure, and covered with trees like 
a continual orchard. It was evidently populous, for 
the inhabitants were seen issuing from the woods, 
and running from all parts to the shore. They were 
all perfectly naked, and, from their attitudes and ges- 
tures, appeared lost in astonisliment at the sight of the 
ships. 

2. Columbus made signal to cast anchor, and teaman 
the boats. He entered his own boat, riclily attired in 
scarlet, and bearing the royal standard. Martin Alonzo 
Pinzon, and Vincente Yailez liis brother, likewise put off 
in their boats, each bearing the ba:mer of the enterprise 
emblazoned with a green cross, ha.ving on each side 
the letters F and Y, surmounted by crowns, the Span- 
nish initials of the Castilian moiiarchs, Fernando and 
Ysabel. '^ 

3. As they approached the shores, they were delight- 
ed by the beauty^md grandeur of the forests ; the variety 
of unknovv-n frWlkm^he trees which overhung tho 
shores ; tho puriw^Hw)ftiiess of l!ie atmosphere, and 
the crystal transpOTSP^of tho sea. 

4. On landing, Columbus threw liimself' ivpon his 
knees, kissed the earth, and returned thanks to God 
with tears of joy. Then rising, he^^rew his sword, dis- 
played the royal' standard, and took) possession in the 

\ 



OF COLUMBUS. 39 

names of the Castilian sovereigns, giving the island the 
name of San Salvador. He then called iipo;i all present 
to take the oath of ohedience to him as admiral and vice- 
roy, and representative of the sovereigns. 

5. His followers now burst forth into tho, most ex- 
travagant transports, some embracing him, otlibrs kissing 
his hands. Those who had been most mutinous and 
turbulent, were now most devoted. Some begged favours 
of him, as of a man who had already wealth and honours 
in his gift. Many abject spirits, who had outraged hirf> 
oy their insolence, now crouched at his feet, begging hif-. 
tbrgivjeness, and offering for the future the blindest obe- 
dience to his commands. 

0. The na: ives, when, at the dawn of da}% they had 
beheld tlie ships hovering on the coast, had supposed 
them some monsters, which had issued from the deep 
during the night. Their veering about, without any 
apparent elTort, and the shifting and furling of their sails, 
resembling huge wings, filled them with astonishment. 

7. When they beheld the boats approach the shore, 
and a number of strange beings, clad in glittering steel, 
or raiment of Aarioas colours, landing upon the beach, 
they fled in affrigiit to the woods. Finding, however, 
that there was no attem})tto pursue or molest them, the}- 
gradually recovered from their terror, and approached 
the Spaniards with great awe, frequently prostrating 
themselves, and mailing signs of adoration. 

8. During the ceremony of taking possession, they 
remained gazing, in timid admiration, at the complexion, 
the beards, the shining armour, and splendid dress of the 
Spaniards. % The adm.iral particularly attracted their at- 
tention, from his commanding height, his air of authority, 
his scarlet dress, and the deference paid to him by his 
-companions. 

9. When they had still furtl^ ^r bcovered from their 
fears, they approached the M^tmrds, touched their 
.beards, and examined their hands and faces, adminng 
their whiteness. Columbus, pleased with their confiding 
simplicity and gentleness, submitted to their scrutiny 
with perfect acquiescence. 

10. The wondering savages were won by this benij^- 



40 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

wity ; they now supposed that the ships had sailed out 
of the crystal firmament which bounded their horizon, 
or had descended from above, on their ample wings, and 
that these marvellous being-s were natives of the skies. 

11. The people of the island were no less objects of 
curiosity to the Spaniards, differing-, as they did, from 
any race of men they had ever seen. They were en- 
tirely naked, of a moderate stature, well shaped, of a 
copper hue, with agreeable features, lofty foreheads, and 
fine eyes. Their hair was coarse and straight ; they had 
no beards, and were painted with a variety of colours. 

12. They appeared to be a simple and artless people, 
and of gentle and friendly dispositions. Their only arms 
were lances, hardened at the end by fire, or pointed with 
a flint or the bone of a fish. Columbus distributed among 
them coloured caps, glass beads, hawlc's bells, and other 
trifles, which they received as inestimable gifts, and, de- 
corating themselves with them, v/ere wonderfully de- 
lighted with their finery. 

13. The island was called by the natives Guanahani, 
and is one of the Bahama islands. Columbus supposed 
it to be at the extremity of India, and therefore called 
the inhabitants Indians, an appellation which has since 
been extended to all the aboriginals of the new world. 

14. The Spaniards remained all day on shore, refresh- 
ing themselves among the beautiful groves, and returned 
to their ships late in the evening, delighted with all they 

^had seen. 

15. On the following morning, at daybreak, some of 
the natives came swimming off to the ships, and others 
in canoes, formed of a single tree, and capafie of holding 
from one man to the number of forty or fifty. They had 
little to offer, in return for trinkets, except balls of cotton 
yam, domesticated parrots, and cakes of a kind of bread 
called cassava, madeA^ the yuca root, which consti- 
tuted a principal part '(^heir food. 

16. The avarice of the discoverers was awakened by 
perceiving small ornaments of gold in the nose? of some 
of the natives. On being asked where thi^- precious 
metal was procured, they answered by signs, pointing to 
the south ; and Columbus understood them to say, that 



OF COLUMBCS. 41 

a king- resided in that quartei*) who was served in great 
vessels of gold. 

17. Ho interpreted every thing- according to his pre- 
vious ideas derived from the work of Marco Polo, and 
supposed the rich island to the south to be Cipango, and 
the king who was served out of golden vessels, to be its 
monarcn, whose palace was said to be covered with 
plates of gold. As soon, therefore, as he had taken in a 
supply of wood and water, ho set sail in quest of this opu- 
lent island ; taking seven of the natives with him to ac- 
quire the Spanish language, and serve as interpreters 
and guides. W\4' 

18. He now beheld a number of beautiful islands, I/' 
green, level, and fertile, which he supposed to be part of 

the Archipelago described by Marco Polo as stretching 
along the coast of Asia, and abounding with spices and 
odoriferous trees. 

19. The inhabitants approached the Spaniards with 
offerings of fruits, and birds, and cotton, regarding them 
as super-human beings. When they landed in quest of 
water, they took them to the coolest springs, and sweet- 
est and freshest runs, tilling their casks, rolling them to 
the boats, and seeking in every way to gratify them. 

20. Columbus was enchanted by the lovely scenery of 
these islands. "I know not," says he, "where first to 
go, nor are my eyes ever weary of gazing on the beauti- 
ful verdur3. The singing of the birds is such, that it 
seems as if one would never desire to depart hence. 
There aro flocks of parrots that obscure the sun, and 
other birds of many kinds, large and small, entirely dif- 
ferent from ours. Trees, also, of a thousand species, tJ. 
each having its particular fruit. ^^ii 

21. Tlie fish also partook of the novelty which char- 
acterized most of the objects in this new world, and 
rivalled the birds in the brilliancy of their colours. The 
scales of some glanced back th-^^ays of light like precious 
stones^ and as they sported about the ships, they flashed 
gleams of gold and silver through the crystal waves. 

22. Columbus was disappointed in his hopes of finding 
gold 0*- spices in these islands ; but the natives continued 
to point to the south, and spoke of an island in that di- 

4* 



42 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

rection, callsd Cuba, v^hicli, the Spaniards understood 
thc-m to sa}', abounded in gold, pearls, and spices, and 
carried an an extensive connnerce, and that large mer- 
chant ships came to trade with the inhabitants. 

23. Columbus concluded this to be the desiied Cipan- 
^o, and the merchant ships to be those of the Grand 
Khan. He set sail in search of it, therefore, and arrived 
in sight of it on the 28th October. 

24. As he approached this noble island, he was struck 
with the grandeur of its mountains, its fertile valleys and 
(ong sv/eeping plains, covered by stately forests, and 

^watered by noble rivers. He anchored in a beautiful 
river, and taking formal possession of the island, gave it 
the name of Juana, in honour of Prhice Juan, and to the 
river the name of San Salvador. 

25. Columbus spent several days' coasting this part of 
the island, and exploring the fine iiarbours and rivers 
with which it abounds. In the sweet smell of the woods, 
and the odour of the flowers, he fancied he perceived 
the fftigrance of oriental spices, and along the shores he 
found shells of the oyster which produces pearls. He 
frequently deceived himself, in fancying that he heard 
the song of the nightingale, a bird unknown in these 
countries.J X* 

2G. Ever since his arrival among these islands he had 
experienced nothing but soft and gentle weather ; and 
he observed that the grass grew to the very edge of the 
water, as if never molested by an angry surge. He 
concluded, therefore, that a perpetual serenity reigned 
ov( r these seas ; little suspicious of the occasional bursts 
of fury to which they are liable, and of the tremendous 
hurricanes which rend and devastate the face of na- 
ture. 

27. While coasting the island, he landed occasionally 
and visited the villages, the inhabitants of which fled to 
the woods and mountains.. The houses were constnict- 
cd of branches of oalm-trces, in the shape of pavilions, 
and were scattered under the spreading trees, like tents 
in a camp. He found in them rude images, and wooden 
masks, carved with considerable ingenuity. Finding 
smplementa for fishing in all the r.abins, he concluded 



OF COLUMBUS. 43 

that the coast were inhabited merely by fishermen, who 
supplied the cities in the interior. 

28. After coasting- to the north-west for some distance, 
Cohnnbus came in sight of a great head-land, to which, 
from the groves which covered it, he gave the name of 
the Cape of Palms. 

29. Here, from misunderstanding the Indian names,' 
be fancied himself on the m.ain land of Asia, and sent 
two Spaniards, one of them a Jew, who understood ori- 
ental languages, to explore th'e interior and seek the 
residence of the sovereign. Two Indians were sent with 
them as guides, and they were well supplied with beads - 
and other trinkets for travelling expenses. 

30. After penetrating about twelive leagues they came 
to a large village of about a thousand souls. ITie In- 
habitants crovv'ded round them, examined their skins and 
raiment, and kissed their heads and feet in token of ad- 
miration. Provisions were placed before them in the 
principal house, after which the Indians seated them- 
selves round them on the ground,, and waited to hear 
what they had to say. 

31. The Jew ibund his oriental languages ofno avail, 
and the ambassadors had to msike all their communica- 
cations through an Indian interpreter. They found that 
the natives had neither gold nor spices to offer, and knew 

of no great inland city ; the envoys, therefore, broke up_i^ 
the conference and returned to' the ships, ^ T> 

32. They brought back, however, intelligence of what 
doubtless appeard to them a strsnge and' savage piece of 
luxury. Tiiey had remarked several Indians with cer- 
tain dried herbs rolled up in a leaf. One' end of thia they 
put in their mouths, and lighting^the other end with a fire 
brand, inhaled and puffed out the srooke with great ap- 
parent enjoyment, A roll of this kind they called a to- 
bacco, a name since transferred to the weed itself. 

33. As fast as one allusion passed away from the mind 
of Columbus, another succeeded. He was undeceived 
as to the supposed prince and his inland city, but the 
[ndians now pointing to the eastward, repeated the words 
Babeque and Bohio, which he understood to be islands or 
provinces wliere the people collected gold along" the^ 



44 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

river banks by torch light, and wrought it into bars with 
hammers .^><^ 

34. He accordingly ran along the coast of Cuba for 
two or three days, and then stood out to sea in the direc- 
tion pointed out by the Indians to find i^abeque, which 
he supposed to be some rich and civilized island. The 
wind, however,, came directly ahead, so that, after seve- 
ral attempts to keep on, he was obliged to put back to 
Cuba. 

35. He made signals for the Pinta to do the same, but 
they were not attended to by her commander, Martin 
Alonzo Pinzon. The day closed, but Columbus con- 
tinued to make signals during tlie night by lights at the 
mast head. They were equally disregarded. At dawn 
of day the Pinta was no longer to be seen. 

36. Columbus was disquieted at this. Pinzon had for 
some time shown impatience at being under his com- 
mand. He was a veteran navigator; and a wealthy 

nan ; and having furnished two oi" the vessels, and part 
of the funds for the expedition, seemed to think him- 
self entitled to as much authority and importance as the 
admiral, 

37. Columbus considered his disappearance a wilful 
desertion. He feared that he intended to make a cruise 
by himself, or what was worse, to hasten back to Spain 
and claim the merit of this grand discovery. These 
thoughts distracted his mind, and impeded him in the 
free prosecution of his voyage^^v^"" 

38. For several days he continued exploring the coast 
of Cuba, until he reached tlie eastern end, to which, from 
supposing it the extreme point of Asia, he gave the name 
of Alpha- and Omega, the beginning and the end. While 
steering at large beyond this cape, undetermined what 
course to take, he descried high mountains towering 
above the clear liorizon to the south-east, and giving 
evidence of an island of great extent. He immediately 
stood for it, to the great consternation of his Indian 
guides, who assured him by signs that the inhabitants 
had but one eye, and were fierce and cruel cannibals. 

39. In the transparent atmosphere of the tropics, ob- 
ject? are descried at a great distance, and the puritv of 



Ot COLUMBUS. 45 

the air and serenity of the deep-blue sky give a magical -|i 
chann to scenery. Under these advantages, the beau- ^^ 
tiful island of Hayti revealed itself to the eye as they 
approached. — VV" 

40. Its mountains were higher and more rocky than \ 1 
those of the other islands, but the rocks rose from among 
rich forests. -The mountains swept down into luxuriant 
plains and green savannahs, while the appearance of 
cultivated fields, with the numerous fires at night, and 
the columns of smoke v/hich rose in various parts by day, 
all showed it to be populous. It rose before them in all 
the splendour of tropical vegetation, one of the most 
beautiful islands in the world, and doomed to be one of 
the most unfortunate. . • 



CHAPTER XII. 

i 

Coasting of Hispaninla. Shipivreck, and other Oecut' 
rences at the Island. [1492.] 

1. On the evening of the 6th of December, Columbus 
entered a harbour at the v.^estern end of the island, to 
which he gave the name of St. Nicholas. Not being 
able to meet with any of the inhabitants, who had fled 
from their dwellings, he coasted along the northern side 
of the island to another harbour, which he called 
Conception. 

2. Here the sailors caught several kinds offish similar 
to those of their own country ; they heard also the notes 
of a bird which sings in the night, and which they mis- 
took for the nightingale, and they fancied that the features 
of the surrounding country resembled those of the more 
beautiful provinces of Spain : in consequence of this idea, 

the admiral named the island Espafiola, or, asli| is com- ji. 
monly written, Hispaniola. ]/[ 

3. After various attempts to obtain a communication 
with the natives, three sailors succeeded in overtaking a 
young and handsome female, who was flying from them, 
and brought their wild beauty in triumph to the ships. 
She was treated with the greatest kindness, and dismiss- 



46 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

• ed finely clothed, and loaded with 'presents of beads, 

hawk's bells, and other baubles. 

4. Confident of the favourable impression her treat- 
ment, and the sight of her presents, must produce, Co- 
lumbus, on the follow! no- day, sent nine men, with an in- 
terpreter, to her village which v.^as situated in a fine 
valley, on the banks of a beautiful river, and contained 
about a thousand houses. 

5. The natives fled at first, but, being- re-assured by 
tlie interpreter, came back to the number of two thoi» 
^and, and approached tlie Spaniards with awe Oi\% 
^embling, often pausing and putting their hands upor' 
their heads in token of reverence and submission. 

\V 6. The female also, came borne in triumph on tiiir 
.--^^ ehoulders of her countrymi-n, followed by a niuititude, 
• and preceded by her husband, who was full of gratitude 
for the kindness with which slie Jiad been treated. The 
natives conducted the Spaniards to their houses, and set 
before them cassava bread, fish, roots, and fruits of various 
kinds ; for a frank liospitality reigned throughout the 
island, where as yet the passion of avarice was unknown. 

7. The Spaniards returned to the vessels enraptured 
with the beauty of the country, surpassing, as they said, 
even the luxuriant valley of Cordova ; all that they com- 
plained of was, that they saw no signs of riches among 
the natives. 

8. Continuing along the coast, Columbus was visited 
by a young cacique, apparently of great importance, who 
came borne on a litter by four men, and attended by two 
hundred of his subjects. He entered the cabin where 
the admiral was dining, and took his seat beside him, 
with a frank unembarrassed air, while two old men, who 
were his councillors, seated themselves at liis feet, 
watching his lips, as if to catch and communicate his 



ideas.c:^) 
9. IfVn 



iny thing were given him to eat, he merely tast- 
ed it, and sent it to his followers, maintaining an air of 
great gravity and dignity. After dinner, he presented 
the admiral with a belt curiously wrought, and tW3 pieces 
of gold. Columbus made him various presents in return, 
and showed him a coin bearing the likenesses of Fer- 



OF COLUMBUS. 4?7 

dinaiid and Isabella, endeavouring to give him an idea of 
the power and grandeur of those sovereigns. 

10. The cacique, however, could not be made to be- 
lieve that there was a region on earth which produced 
euch wonderful people and wonderful things, but persist- 
ed in the idea that the Spaniards were more than mortal, 
and that the country and sovereigns they spoke of must 
exist somewhere in the skies. 

11. On the 20th of December, Columbus anchored in 
r>, fine harbour, to which* he gave the name of St. Tho^ 
mas. Here a large canoe visited the ships, bringing 
messengers from a chieftain named Guacanagari, who 
resided on the coast a little farther to the eastward, 
and reigned over all that part of the islandi^ The mes- 
sengers bore a present of a broad belt, Vv^ronght inge- 
niously with coloured beads and bones, and a wooden 
mask, the eyes, nose, and tongue of which were of gold. 

12. They invited Columbus, in the name of the cacique, 
to come with his shij)s opposite to the vilKige where he 
resided. Adverse v/inds prevented an immediate com- 
pliance with this invitation ; he therefore sent a boat well 
armed, witli the notary of the squadron, to visit the chief- 
tain. He returned with favourable accounts of the ap- 
pearance of the village, and tlie hospitality of the cacique. 

13. Early in the morning of the 24th of December, 
Columbus weighed anchor, with a light wind that scarcely 
filled the sails. By eleven o'clock at night, he Vv'as within 
a league and a half of the residence of the cacique : the 
sea was calm and smooth, and the ship almost motionless. 
Having liad no sleep the preceding night, he retired to 
take a little repose, 

14. No sooner had he left the deck, than the steers- 
man gave the helm in charge to one of the ship-boys, 
and went to sleep. The rest of the mariners on duty 
followed his example, and^in a little while the whole 
crew was buried in slecp<jp3*n the meantime the treach- 
erous currents, which run swit>.ly along this coast, car- 
ried the ship smoothly, but with great violence, upon a 
sandbank.' The boy, feeling the rudder strike, and hear- 
ing the rushing of the sea, cried out for aid. Columbus 
was the first to. take the alarm, and was soon followed by 



46 LIFB AND VOYAGES 

the master of the ship, and his delinquent companion*. 
The admiral ordered them to carry out an anchor astern, 
that they miglit warp the vessel oft'. 

15. They sprang into the boat, but, being confused 
and seized with a panic, instead of obeying the com- 
mands of Columbus, they rowed off to the other caravel. 
Vincente Yailez Pinzon, who commanded the latter, re- 
proached them with their cowardice, and refused to ad- 
mit them on board ; and, manning his boat, hastened to 
the assistance of the admiral. ^^' 

16. In the mean time, the ship swinging across the 
stream, was set more and more upon tlie bank. Efforts 
were made to lighten her, by cutting away the mast, but 
in vain. The keel became bedded in tlie sand ; the 
seams opened, and the breakers beat against her, until 
she fell over on one side. Fortunately, the weather con- 
tinued calm, otherwise botli ship and crew must have 
perished. The admiral abandoned the wreck, and took 
refuge, with his men, on board of the caravel. He lay 
t» until daylight, sending messengers on shore to inform 
the cacique Guacanagari of his disastrous shipwreck. 

17. When the chieftain heard of the misfortune of hi& 
guest, he was so much afflicted as to shed tears ; and 
never, in civilized country, were the rites of hospitality 
more scrupulously observed, than by this uncultured 
savage. He assembled his people, and sent aff all his 
canoes to aid in unloading the wreck. The effects were 
landed, and deposited near his dwelling, and a guard set 
over them, until houses could be prepared, in which they 
could be stored. 

18. There seemed, however, no disposition among the ■ 
natives to pilfer or conceal the most triflirig article. On 
the contrary, they manifestejil as deep a concern as if the 
disaster had happened to /themselves, and their only 
study was how they could administer reliePiEfQd consola- 
tion.\)^Columbus was greatfy..affected by this unexpected 
goodnbss. " These people," said he, to th^overeigns, 
*' love their neighbours as theii^elves, their discourse is 
ever sweet and gentle, and accompanied by a^smile. I 
swear to your majesties therels not in the world a better 
natioii or a better land.'V^ 



OF COLUMBUS. 4i& , 

19. When the cacique mci with Columbus,, he was 
much moved at beholdinnr his dejection, and offered him 
every thing he possessed t!iat could be of service to him. 
He invited him on shore, where a banquet was prepared 
for his entertainment, consisting of various kinds of fish 

' and fruit, and an animal called Utia by the natives, which 
resembled a coney. After the collation, he conducted 
him to a beautiful grovo, where upwards of a thousand of 
the natives were assembled, all perfectly naked, who per- 
formed several of their games and' dances. 

20. When the Indians had finished their games, Co- 
lumbus gave them an entertainment in return, calculated 
to impress them with a formidable opinion of the military 
power of the Spaniards. A Castilian, who had served 
in the wars of Granada, exhibited his skill in shooting 
with a Moorish how, to the "great admiration of the ca- v v _ 
cique. A cannon and an arquebus were hkewise dis- ' V^ 
charged ; at the sound of which the Indians fell to the 
ground, as though they had been struck by a thunderbolt. 

21. When tliey saw the effect of the ball rendincr and 
shivering the trees, they were filled with dismay. On 
being told, hov/ever, that the Spaniards would protect 
them with these arms, against the invasions of their 
dreaded enemies, the Caribs, their alarm was changed 
into confident exultation, considering themselves under 
the protection of the sons of heaven, who had come from 
the skies, armed with thunder and lightning. / 

22. The cacique placed a coronet of gold on the head 
of Columbus, and hung plates of the same metal round 
his neck, and dispensed liberal presents among his fol- 
lowers. Whatever trifles were given in return were re- 
garded with reverence as celestial gifts, and were said by 
the Indians to have come from Tureij, or heaven. 

23. When Guacanagari perceived the great value which 
the admiral attached to gold, he informed him, that there 
was a place, not far off, where it abounded ; and he pror 
mised to procure him, from thence, as much as he desired .,fclJL- 
This golden region, was called Cibao, and lay among" \\ 
high and rugged mountains. The cacique who ruled 
over it owned many rich mines, and had bamiers of 
WTOughVgold. 



50 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

24. Three houses had been given to the sliipwrecked 
crew for their residence. Here, living on shore, and 
ming-ling freely vi^ith the natives, they became fascina- 
ted by their easy and idle mode of life. They were go- 
verned by their caciques with an absolute but patriarchal 
and easy rule, and existed in that state of primitive and» 
savage simplicity v/hich some philosophers have fondly 
pictured as the most enviable on earth. 

25. "It is certain," says old Peter Martyr, "that the land 
nmong these people is as common as the sun and water ; 
and that ' mine and thine,' the seeds of all mischief, have 
no place with them. They are content with so little, 
that, in so large a country, they have rather superfluity 
than scarceness ; so that they seem to ^ive in a golden, 
world, without toil, in open gardens, neither intrenched, 
nor shut up by walls or hc^lges. They deal truly with 

■one another, without laws, or books, or judges. "^!^ 

26. In fact, they seemed to disquiet themselves about 
notliing ; a few fields, cultivated alm.ost without labour, 
furnished roots and vegetables, their groves were laden 
with delicious fruit, and the coast and rivers abounded 
with fish., Softened by the indulgence of nature, a 
great part of the day was passed by them in indolent re- 
pose^hithat luxury of sensation inspired by a serene sky 
and \'otiM?tuous climate, and in the evening they danced 
in their fragrant groves, to their national songs, or tho 
rude.^i|ind of their sylvan drums. 

27. v\''hen the Spanish mariners looked back upon 
their own toilsome and painful life, and reflected upon 
the cares and hardsliips tlmt must still be their lot, should 
they return to Europe, they regarded with a wistful eye 
the easy and idle existence of the Indians, and many of 
them, representing to the admiral the difficulty and dan- 
ger of embarking so many persons in one small caravel, 
entreated permission to remain in the island. 

28. Columbus granted their request, determining to 
found a colony. The wreck of the caravel would fur- 
nish materials and arms for a fortress ; and the people 
w.lio should remain in the island could explore it, learn 
the language of the natives, and collet gold, ti'hile'tb« 
admiral returned to Soain for reinforcements.^^ 



OF COLUMBUS. 51 

29. Guacanag-an wasoverjoyod at finding that, some of 
these \vc-;d3riul strangers werc^ to renmin ibr the defence 
of his island, and that the admiral intended to revisit it. 
He readily gave permission to build the ibrt, and his 
subjects cag-crly aided in its construction, little dreaming 
that they \ve.re assisting- to place on their necks the gall- 
ing- yoke of perpetual and toilsome slavery. 

30. In ten days the fortress vras completed. It con- 
fiisted of a strong wooden tower, with a vault beneath, 
and the whole was surrounded by a wide ditdi. It was 
Kupj)lied with llie ammunition and mounted with the 
cannon saved from ti)0 wreck.^ Columbus gave the 
fortress and harbour the name of La Navidad, or The 
Nativity, in meniorJal of having been preserved from the 
wreck of his sliip on Christmas day. , 

31. From the number of volunteers tJiat offered to re- 
main, he selected thirty-nine of the most trustworthy, 
putting them under the command of Diego de Arana, 
notary and alguazll of the armament. In case of his 
death, Pedro Gutierrez was to take the command, and he, 
in like case, to be succeeded by Rodrigode Escobido, 

32. He charged the men to be obedient to their com 
nianders, respectful to Guacanagari and his chieftains, 
and circumspect and friendly in their intercourse with 
the natives. As tlieir saf ;ty would depend upon tlieir • 
united force, he warned them not to separate nor to stray 
beyond the territory of the friendly cacique. He enjoined 
it upon the ofricers. to employ themselves in gaining a 
icnowledge ofthe island, in amassing gold and spices, and 
ill searching for a more safe and convenient harbour, -s^ 

33. Before his doj^arture, he gave the natives another 
military exhibition, to increase their awe of the white 
men. The Spaniards pt^rformed skirmishes and mock 
tights, with swords, buckler.'^, lances, crossbows, and fire- 
arms. The Indians were astonished at the keenness of 
the steeled weapons, and the deadly power ofthe cross- 
bows and nmsketSj: but nothing equalled their awe and 
adniiration whenitiVe caiuiO'i were discharged from the 
fortress, wrapping it in smoke, shaking the forests with 
their thunder, and shivering the stoutest trees. 

34. When Columbus took leave of Goacanagari, the 

/ 



52 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

kind-hearted cacique shed many tears ; for he had been 
completel}"- won by the benic^nity of his manners. The 
seamen, too, had made many pleasant connexions among 
the Indians, and they parted with mutual regret. 

35. The sorest parting-, however, was witli tlieir cona- 
rades who remained behind. When the sig-nal g-un was 
fired, they gave a parting cheer to the gallant handful of 
volunteers thus left in the wilderness of an unknown 
world, who echoed their cheering as they gazed wistful- 
ly after them from the beach, but who were destined 
never to welcome their return. 
<«• _ 

CHAPTER Xm. 

Retiirn Voyage. Violent Storms. Arrival at Pertu- 
gal. [1493.] 

1. It was on the 4th of January tha-t Columbus set sail. 
0n the 6th, as he was beating aleng tiie coast, with a 
head wind, a sailor at the mast-head cried out that there 
was a sail at a distance, standing towards them. To 
their great joy it proved to be the Pinta, which came 
sweeping before the wind with flowing canvass. 

2. On joining the admiral, Pinzon endeavoured to excnso 
his desertion, by saying that he had been separated bj' 
stress of weather, and had ever since been seeking him. 
'Columbus listened incredulously to these excuses, but 
Jivoided any words that might produce altercations, and 

.ilistUfb the remainder of the voyage. He ascertained, 
:tfterwards, that Pinzon had parted company intentional- 
ly, and liad steered directly east, in quest of a region 
where the Indians assured him he would iind gold in 
H.bundance. 

8. They guided him to Hispaniola, where he had been 
for seme time in a river about fifteen leagues east of La 
Navidaii, trading with the natives. Hf^ had collected a 
large quantity of gold, one half of which he retained as 
captain, and the rest he divided among his men, to secure 
their secrecy and fidelity. On ieavin-g the river, he had 
carried cfi four Indian men and two girls, as slaveiJ. 



OP COL\JMBU^ 53 

4. Columbus sailed for this river, to which he gave the 
name of Rio de Gracia ; but it long" continued to be 
known as the river of Martin Alonzo. Here he ordered 
the four men and two girls to be dismissed, well clothed, 
and with many presents, to oXcme for the wrong they had 
experienced, and to allay tli^pstile feeling it might have 
caused among the natives. ^Kis restitution was not made 
without great unwiliingne^Ky^ many angry words, on 
the part of Pinzon. ^^^^ 

5. After standing for s^^e distance further alon^ the 
coast, tliey anchored in a vast bay, or rather gulf, three 
leagues m breadth, extending far inlaqd, and bordered by 
the mountains of Ciguay. Here they had a sharp skir- 
mish with tiie natives, in which several of the latter were 
slain. They were a hardy and warliJ^e race of moun- 
taineers, fierce of aspect, hideously painted, and their 
heads decorated with feathers. 

*&, They fought with war-clubs, bows and arrows, and 
ewords of pahn wood, so hard and heavy as to cleave 
through a helmet to the vejy brain. Several of the In- 
dians were killed. This was the first contest with the 
people of the New World, and the first time that native 
blood was shed by white men. From this skirmish the 
place received the name of the gulf of arrows ;* it is now 
called the gulf of Samana. 

7. Columbus lamented this conflict, and apprehended 
further hostilities ; but, to his surprise, the natives on 
the following' day resumed their intercourse as if nothing 
had happened. The cacique, whose name was May^ona- 
bex, came on beard with only three attendants, and 
throughout all their subsequent dealings they betrayed 
no signs of lurking fear or enmity. 

8. This frank and confiding conduct, so indicative of 
a brave and generous nature, was properly appreciated by 
Columbus : he entertained the cacique with greaA^tinc- 
tion, and at parting made many presents to hiiflpd his 
attendants. This Mayonabex, in subsequent ^ents of 
this history, will be found to acquit himself with valour 
and magnanimity, under the most trying circumstances, 

• Ei Golfo de las Flech«». 



54 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

9. Columbus, on leaving the bay, took four younor In- 
dians, to g-uide him to the Caribbean islands, situated to 
the east, of which they gave iiim very interesting- ac- 
counts, as well as of the island of raantinino, said to bo 
inhabited by Amazons. A favourable! breeze sprang up, 
however, for the voyage homevrards, aiid, seeing gloom 
and impatience in the countenances of his men, at the 
idea of diverging from theirroute, he gave up his inten- 
tion of visiting these isl£lMi|0r the present, and made 
all sail for Spain. ^K^ 

10. The fiwourable breeze soon died away ; lio-htwinda 
from the east, and frequent calms, succeeded ; bufthey had 
inten-als of favourable weather, and by the 12th of Feb- 
ruary they had made such progress as to begin to flatter 
themselves with tl^e hopes of soon beholding land. The 
wind now came on to blow violently ; on tlie following 
evening there were three hashes of lightning in the 
north-north-east ; from which signs Columbus predicted 
an approaching tempest. 

11. It soon burst upon them with frightful violence, 
their small and crazy vessels were little fitted for the 
wild storms of the Atlantic ; all night they were obliged 
to scud under bare poles at the mercy of the elements. 
As the morning dawned, there was a transient pause, 
and they made a little sail ; but the wind rose with re- 
doubled fury from the south, and increased in the night, 
the vessels labouring terribly in a cross sea, which threat- 
ened at each moment to overwhelm^ them or dash them 
to pieces. 

12. The tempest still augmenting, they were obliged 
again to scud before the wmd. The admiral made signal 
lights for the Pinta to keep in company ; but she was 
separated by the violence of the storm ; her lights gleam- 
ed more and more distant, until they ceased entirely. 
When^ie day dawned, the sea presented a friglitful 
wasteflmdld broken waves, lashed into fury by the gale ; 
ColurnlH looked round anxiously for the Pinta, but she 
was nowhere to be seen. 

13. Throughout a dreary day the helpless bark wag 
driven along by the tempest. Seeing all human skill 
baffled and confounded, the admiral endeavoured to pro- 



OF COLUMBUS. 55 

pitiate heaven by solemn ^vs. Lots were cast to per- 
form pilgrimages and ^^^^cp.s, most of which fell 
upon himself. A vow '^^J^V^ made by the admiral and 
the whole crew, that -iPui^v/ere spared to reach the 
land they would walk iy procession, barefooted, to offer 
up thanksgiving- in som;} church dedicated to the Virgin. 

14. The heavens:, however, seemed deaf to all their 
vows ; the storm grew still more furious, and every one 
gave himself up for lost. Tlie rtiind of Columbus was a 
prey to the most distressing anxiety. He was liarassed 
by the repinings of his crew, who cursed the hour of their 
leaving their country, and their want of resolution in not 
compellir.'g him to abandon the voyage. He was afflict- 
ed, also, when he thought of his two sons, who would be 
left destitute by liis death. 

15. But he had another source of distress, more in- 
tolerable than death itself It was highly probable that 
the Pinta had foundered in the storm. In such case, 
the historj^ of his discovery wquld depend upon his own 
feeble bark ; one surge of the ocean might hjjiy it for 
ever in oblivion, and his name only remain as that of a 
desperate adventurer, who had perished in pursuit of a 
chimera. 

16. To guard against such a result, he wrote on parcli- 
ment a brief account of his discovery, and of his having 
taken possession of the newly found lands in the name of 
their Catholic majesties. This he sealed and directed to 
the king and queen, and superscribed a promise of a 
thojisand ducats to whomsoever should deliver the packet 
tmopened. He tlien wrapped it in a waxed cloth, which 
he placed in the centre of a cake of wa.\, and enclosing 
the whole in a cask, threw it into the sea. A copy of 
this memorial he enclosed, in a similar manner, and placed 
it upon the stern of his vessel, so that, should the caravel 
sink, the cask might float off and survive. 

■ 17. Happily, these precautions, though wise, were 
superfluous ; at sunset there was a streak of clear sky in 
the west, the wind shifted to that quarter, and on the 
morning of the 15th of February they came in sight ofland. 
18. The transports of the crew at once more beholding 
the old world were almost equal to those they had expo^ 



56 LIFE AND VOTTAOES 



nenced on discovering' the new. For two or three days, 
however, the wind again l^Mne contrary, and they re- 
mained hovering in sighl^^Rind, of which they only 
caught glimpses through tl^mist and rack. At length 
they came to anchor, at tiie island of St. Mary's, the 
most sovitliern of the Azores, and a possession of the 
crown of Portugal. 

19. An ungenerous reception awaited the poor tem- 
pest-tossed mariners, on their return to the abode of civi- 
lized man, far different froi^ the kindness and hospitality 
they had experienced among the savages of the new 
world. Columbus sent one half of the crew on shore, to 
fulfil the vow of a barefooted procession to a chapel of 
the Virgin, which stood on a solitary part of the coast, 
and awaited their return to perform the same ceremony 
with the remainder. 

20. Scarcely had they begun their prayers, when a 
party of horse and foot, headed by the governor of the 
island, surrounded the chapel, and took them all prison- 
ers. The real object of this outrage was to get posses- 
sion of tffe person of Columbus ; for the king of Portu- 
gal, jealous lest his enterprise might interfere v/ith his 
own discoveries, had sent orders to his commanders of 
islands and distant ports to seize and detain him w' herever 
fie should be met with. 

21. Having failed in this open attempt, the governor 
next endeavoured to effect his pur])ose by stratagem, but 
was equally unsuccessful. Being thus baffled in his -aim, 
and being threatened with tlie^vengeance of the 'Spanish 
sovereigns, he released his priseners, after two or three 
days' detention, pretending to have acted through doubts 
of Columbus having a "regular cemmission. 

22. The voyagers again set sad with pleasant weather, 
but were soon overtaken by a tempest, which rent their 
sails and threatened instant distruction. The crew were 
again reduced to despair, and made vows of fastings and 
pilgrimages. The storm raged for a night and day, and 
rose to its utmost fury on the night of the 3d of March. 
The sea was wild, broken, and mountainous, the rain fell 
ui torrents, and lightning flashed, and thund^ pealed 
fi^m various iparts of the heavens. 



OF COLUMBUS. 57 

23. In the first watch of this fearful night, the seamen 
gave the usually welcome ^^ of land ; but it only increased 
tlie alarm, for they were Hkorant of their situation, and 
dreaded being- driven on sfroro, or da-<:hed upon the rocks. 
Taking in sail, therefore, th(-y endeavoured to keep to 
sea as rnucli as possible. At day.br(?ak on the 4th of 
March, they found themselves clT the rock of Cintra, at 
the mouth of the Tagus, 

24. Though distrustful of the good will of Portugal, 
Columbus had no alternative but to run in for slielter^^ — - 
and he accordingly anchored about three o'clock in the 
river, opposite to Rastello. The inhabitants came off 
from various parts of the shore, k) congratulate him on ' 

what they deemed a miraculous preservation, for they 

had been watching tlie vessel ^he whole mornino:, with 
great anxiety, and putting up prayers fcr her safety. «. ,^i ^ 

25. Such were the difficulties and perils with which Co- 
lumbus had to contend on his return to Europe : had one 
tenth part of them beset his outward vov-age, his factious 
erew would have risen in arms against the enterprise, 
and he never would have discovered the new \vorid. 

— «e©©— 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Visit of Cohimhus to the Coiirf of Porlv^oL Arrival at 
Pains. [149a.] 

1. The arrival of a bar!: in the 'J\gus, freighted witn 
the people and productions' of a newJj' discovered world, 
filled ell lii.sbon with astonishment. For several days 
the river was cover'nl with barges and boats, bearing 
visiters to the siiip of the most distinguished rank. 

2. All liung v, ith rapt attention en the accounts of the 
voyoge, and gazed v^^ith insatiable curiosity upon the 
plants, and animals, and above ail, upon the inhabitants 
of th.c new world. The enthusiasm of some, and the 
avafice of otliers, was e.xcited ; wHile many repined at 
the 'incredulity of the king and his cr.unsellors, by whicli 
se c^T&nd a .discovery had been for eter lost to Porlugra, 



63 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

3. Immediately on his arrival, Columbus wrote to the 
king of Portug;al, who \\'a|||t Valj)araif-'o, about nine 
leagues from l^isbon, inform^g- him of ihe cveiits of his 
voyage, and the route he had pursued, lest the king 
yjiould suppose i>e had been in the track of tlio Portu- 
guese discoverers. Oa the 8th of March, he received a 
reply, congratulating him on !iis arrival, and inviting him 
to court. The king at the same thnc ordered, that any 
thing which the admiral required for himself or his vessel 
should be furnished free of cost. 

4. Columbus set o'lt reluctantly for tho court, for he 
distrusted the good laith of the king. His reception, 
however, was of the most honourable kind. The prin- 
cipal officers of the royal liousehold came forth to meet 
him, and conducted him to the palacey The king re- 
quested him to seat himself in his presence, a privilege 
only granted to persons of royal dignity. lie welcomed 
him to Portugal, and congratulated him on the glorious 
result of his enterprise ; though secretly, he repined that 
this splendid enterprise had been offered to liimself 
and refused. 

5. He held repeated conversations with Columbus, 
and made minute inquiries as to the routes by which he 
had sailed, and thp soil, productions, and people of the 
countries which he had discovered, seeming to take great 
pleasure in his replies. 

6. The true object of th^se inquiries, however, was to 
ascertain whether the regions in question did not fall 
within the scope of the paj)al bull or ordinance, granting 
to the crown of Portugal all the land it should discover 
from Cape Non to the Indies, 

7. King John suggested thece doubts to his counsel- 
lors, who eagerly encouraged them ; for among them 
were the very persons who had scoffed at Columbus as a 
dreamer, and his success covered them with confusion. 
They declared that tJie natives brought in the caravel 
answered exactly to the description of the people of that 
part of India ofranted to Portugal i)y the papal bull ; and 
that the newly discovered land clearly fell within the 
Portuguese territories. 

8. Some endeavoured to awaken the anger of the king, 



OF COLUMBUS. 59 

bv (leclarino: that Columbus had talked of liis discoveriea 
m an arrogant and vainglorious strain, merely to revenge 
himself upon the monarch for liaving rejected his propo- 
sitions. 

9. Others even went so far as to propose, as an eftec- 
tual means of impeding the prosecution of tliese enter- 
prises, that Columbus should be assassinated. It would 
he an easy matter to take advantage of his lofty deport- 
ment, to pique his pride, provoke liim to an altercation* 
and suddenly despatch him as if in casual and honoura- 
ble encounter. 

10. Happily, the king had too much magnanimity to 
adopc such wickv^u and dastardly counsel. Though se- 
rretlv grieved and mortified that tht^ rival power of Spaiij 
oiiould liave won tins triumph vvhich he had rejected, yet 
he did jusT.ice to tlie great nient of C^umbus, and hon- 
oured him as a distinguished benefactOTKo mankind. He 
felt it his duty, also, as a generous {)rmce, to protect all 
strangers driven by adverse fortune to his ports. 

11. Columbus, therefore, after being treated with the 
most honourable attentions, was escorted back to his ship 
by a numerous train of cavaliers of the court. On the 
way he paid a visit to the queen at a monastery at Villa 
Franca, where ho was listened to v/ith wonder, as he 
related tlie events of his voyage to her majesty and the 
Jadios of her court. 

12. Pitting to sea on the loth of March, he arrived 
safely at Palos op. the 15th ; having taken not quite seven 
months and a half to accomplish this most momentous of 
ail martitime enterprises. ^ 

13. The people of Palo? had remained in the greatest 
anxiety about the fate of this expedition, in which so 
many of tlioir friends wore embarked. When, therefore, 
they beheld one of the adventurous vessels furling her 
sails in their harbour, from the discovery of a world, the 
whola community broke fortl*. into a transport of joy, the 
bells were rung, the shops shut, .and all business was 
suspended. 

14. Columbus landed, and walked in procession to the 
church of St. George, to return thanks to God. Where- 
ver he passed, the air rang with acclamations, and he 



(30 LIFE ANt» VOYAGES 

received such honours as are paid to sovereigns. What 
a contrast was this to his departure a few months before, 
followed by murmurs and execrations ! or rather, wliat a. 
contrast to his first arrival at Palos, a poor pedestrian, cra- 
vijig- bread and water for his child at the gate of a convent, ! 
15. Having des|xitched a letter to the sovereigns in- 
forming them of his arrival, he received an answer within 
a few days, addressed to him by his titles of admiral and 
viceroy. They n||mis&d him still greater rewards, and 
urged him to coiiSto them immediately at Barcelona, to 

J concert plans focrapecond and more extensive expedition. 

*'^* 16. It is fittii^here to speak a word of the fate of 
Martin AlonzoMnzon. When separated from Colum- 
bus in the storiMhe was driven into the bay of Biscay, 
and made the jmt of Bayonne. Doubting whether Co- 
lumbus had surlKed the tempest, he immediately wrote 
to the sovereigi^^iving an account of the discovery, and' 
requesting perlni^ion to come to court and relate the 
particulars in pcrsoa. 

17. As soon as tljo weather was favourable, he again 
set sail for Palos, and, by a singular coincidence, reached 
there on the eveniiW of the day on which Columbus had 
arrived. It is said lib feared to meet the admiral, in this 
hour of his triumph, lest he should put him under arrest 
for his desertion on the coast of Cuba ; but this is not 
probable, for he was a man of too much resolution to 
yield to such a fear. ^ 

18. Whatever may have been his motive, he landed 
privately in his boat, and kept out of sight until the de- 

•parture of the admiral, when he returned to his home, 
broken in health, and deeply dejected, awaiting the reply 
of the sovereigns to his letter. \, The reply at length ar- 
rived, forbidding his coming to court, and severely re- 
proaching him for his conduct. This completed his 
humiliation ; the wounds of his feelings gave virulence 
to his bodily isalady, and in a few days he died, a victim 
to grief and repentauce. 

19. Let no one, however, indulge in harsh censurea 
over the grave of Pinzon. His merits and services' are 
entitled to the highest praise ; his errors should be re- 
garded with iiwlulgence. Ho way one of the first in 



OP COLVMBUS. 61 

Spain to appreciate the project of Columbus ; he aided 
hiua with his purse when poor and imknown at Palos ; 
he eiiabled him to procure and fit out ships, when even 
the royal mandates were ineffectual ; and finally he em. 
barked in the expedition with his brothers and his friends, 
staking- life, property, every thing, upon the event. 

20. He had thus entitled himself to participate largely 
m the glory of this iiimiortal enterprise ; but, unfortu- 
liately, forgetting for a moment the grandeur of the 
cause^he yielded to the incitements of self-interest, and 
was guilty of that act of insubordination which has cas* 
a shade upon his name. 

21. Much may be said, however, in extenuation of hi- 
fault : his consciousness of having rendered great ser- 
vices to the ex])edit;on, and of possessing property in tlie 
ships^ and his habits of command, which rendered him 
impatient of control. 

22. That lie was a man naturally of generous senti- 
ments and honourable ambition, is evident from the 
poignancy with which he felt tlie disgrace drawn upon 
him by his conduct. A mean man would not have fallen 
a victim to self-upbraiding for having been convicted of 
a mean action. His story shows iiow one lapse from 
duty may counterbalance the merits of a thousand ser- 
vices ; how one moment of weakness may mar the beauty 
of a whole life of virtue ; and how important it is for a 
man, under all circumstances, to be true, not merely to 
others, but to himself 

"^ CHAPTER XV. 

Reception of Columhus by the Spanish Sovereigns at 
Barcelona. [1493.] 

1. The journey of Columbus to Barcelona was like the 
progress of a sovereign. Wherever he passed, the country 
poured forth its inhabitants, who rent the air with accla- 
mations. In the large towns, the streets, windows, and 
balconies were filled with spectators, eager, to gain a 
6 



tt 



Oa LIFE AND VOYAGES 

sight of him and of the Indians whom he carried with 
him, who were re.'^arded with as much astonishment as if 
they had been natives of another planet. 

2. It was about the middle of April that he arrived at 
Barcelona, and the beauty and serenity of the weather, 
in that genial season and favoured climate, contributed to 
give splendour to the memorable ceremony of his recep- 
lion. As he drew near the place, many of the youthful 
■;ourtiers and cavaliers, followed Ijy a vast concourse of 
the populace, came forth to meet him. His entrance into 
this noble city has been compared to one of those tri- 
umphs which tJie Romans were accustomed to decree to 
conquerors. 

3. First were paraded the Indians, painted according 
to their savage fashion, and decorated with their orna- 
ments of gold. After these were borne various kinds of 
live parrots, together with stuffed birds and animals of 
unknown species, and rare plants supposed to be of pre- 
cious qualities ; while especial care was taken to display 
the Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decorations of 
gold, which might give an idea of tlio wealth of the new- 
ly discovered regions. After this followed Columbus, on 
horseback, surrounded by a brilliant cavalcade. 

4. The streets were ahnost impassable from the multi- 
tude ; the houses, even to the v.^ry roofs, were crowded 
with spectators. It seemed as if tlie public eye could not 
be sated with gazing at these trophies of an unki^.own 
world, or on the remarkable man by whom it had been 
discovered. 

5. There was a sublimity in this event that mingled a 
solemn feeling with the public joy. It was considered a 
signal dispensation of Providence in reward for the piety 
of the sovereigns ; and the majestic and venerable ap- 
pearance of the discoverer, so different from the youth 
and buoj^ancy that generally accompany roving enter- 
prise, seemed in harmony with the grandeur and dignity 
of the achievement. * 

6. The sovereigns had ordered their throne to be 
placed in public, under a rich canopy of brocade of gold» 
where they awaited his arrival, seated in state, with Prince 
Juan beside them, and surrounded by their nobles. Co» 



OF COLUMBUa. 68 

lumbu^gived in their presence, accompanied by a 
brilliai^^mjv^d of cavaliers, among whom, we are told, 
he w^^^spicuous for his stately and commanding- 
person, which, with his venerable gray hairs, gave him 
the august appearance of a senator of Rome. 

7. A modest smile lighted up his countenance, show- 
ing that ho enjoyed the state and glory in which he came ; 
and certainly nothing could be more deeply rnovincr to a 
mind inflam.ed by nob'e ambition, and conscious of having 
nobly deserved, than these testimonials of the admiration 
and gratitude of a nation, or rather of a world. 

8. On his approach, the sovereigns rose, as if receiv- 
ing a person of the highest rank. Bending on liis knees, 
he would have kissed their hands in token of homage, but 
they raised him in the most gracious manner, and as- 
signed him a se.at himself in their presence; wliich was con- 
sidered a rare honour in this proud and punctihous court. 

9. He now gave an account of the most striking events 
of his voyage, and displayed the various proriucti^^nd 
the native inliabitants which he had brought from\^e 
new world. Ha assured their majesties that all th^ 
were but harbingers of greater discoveries which he had 
yet to make, wJiidi would add realms of incalculable 
wealth to their domiivons, and whole nations of prose- 
lytes to the true faith. 

10. When he had finished, the king and queen sank 
on their knees, raised their hands to lieaven, and, with 
eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude, poured forth 
thanks and praises to God, All present followed their 
example ; a deep and solemn enthusiasm pervaded that 
splendid assembly, and prevented all common acclama- 
tions of triumph. ^,/<4t/ -- 

11. The anthem of Te Deinn, chanted by the choir of 
the royal chapel, with the melodious accompaniments of 
histruments, rose in a full body of harmony, bearing up, 
as it were, the feelings and thoughts of the auditors to 
heaven. Such was the solemn and pious manner in 
which the brilliant court of Spain celebrated this sublime 
event ; offering up a grateful tribute of melody and 
praise, and giving glory to God for the discovery of 
another world. • 




I 

F 



64 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

12. Wliile the mind of Columbus was excit^by this 
triumph, his pious scheme for the deliveranc^^Kie holy 
sepulchre \yas not forgotten. Fiusiied witnl^^^dea of 
the vast wealth that must accrue to himself from his dis- 
coveries, he made a vow to furnish, within seven years, 
an army of four thousand horse and tit\v thousand foot, 
for a crusade to the holy land, and a similar force within 
the five follov/ing years. 

13. It is essential to a full knowledge of tlie character 
and motives of this extraordinary m.an, that this visionary 
project should be borne in recollection. It shows how 
much his mind was elevated above selfish and mercenary 
views, and filled with those devout and lieroic schemes 
which, in the time of the crusades, had inflamed the am- 
bition of the bravest warriors and most ilhistrious princes. 

14. During liis sojourn at Barcelona, tlie sovereigns 
look every occasion to bestow on him the highest marks 
of personal consideration, lie was admitted at all times 
to the royal presence ; appeared occasionally with the 
king on horseback ; and the queen delighted to converse 
familiarly with him on the subject of his voyage. 

15. To perpetuate in his family the glory of his achieve- 
ment, a coal of arms was given him, in which he was 
allowed to quarter the royal arms, the castle and lion, 
with those more peculiarly assigned him, which were a 
group of islands surrounded by waves : to these arms 
were atlerward annexed the motto : 

To Castile and Leon 
Columbus gave a new world." 

16. Th'j pension of thirty crowns, which had been de- 
reed by the sovereigns to whomsoever should first dis- 
over land, was adjudged to Columbus, for havuig first 

rteen the light on the shore. It is said that the seaman 
who first descried the land was so incensed at being dis- 
appointed of what he deemed his merited reward, that he 
renounced his country and his faith, and, crossing into 
Africa, turned Mussulman ; this anecdote, however, : 
on rather questionable authority. 

» * A CASTIUA Y A LEON 

NUBVO MUNDO DIO 0OLO>» 



• •• 



OV COLUMBUS. 65 

17- There are ncAer wanting base and envious minds 
to decry die greatest actions. At one of tlie banquets 
given to Jplumbus by the nobility, a shallow courtier, 
meanly j(^ous of him as a foreigner, abruptly asked 
whether he thought that, in case he had not discovered 
the Indies, there would not have been men in Spain ca- 
pable of the enterprise. 

18. Columbus made no direct reply, but, taking an egg, 
invited the company to make it stand upon one end. 
When every one had attempted it in vain, he struck it 
upon the table, broke one end, and letl:. it standing on the 
broken part. 

19. In this simple and pleasant manner he reproved 
the afler-sagacity of this conceited courtier ; showing 
him, that the most perplexing tilings become the easiest 
to be done, when we are once shown the way. 

30. The tidings of the great discovery of Columbus 
soon spread throughout the civilized world, filling every 
one with astonishment and delight. Men of learning 
and science shed tears of joy, and those of ardent imagi- 
nations indulo-ed in the most extravagant and delightful 
dreams. 

21. Notwithstanding all this triumph, hov,-ever, no one 
had an idea of the real importance of the discoverv. The 
opinion of Columbus was universally adopted, that Cuba 
was the end of the Asiatic continent, and that the adja- 
cent islands were in the Indian seas. They were called, 
therefore, the West Indies, and as the region tlms dis- 
covered appeared to be of a vast and indefinite extent, 
and existing in a state of nature, it received the compre- 
hensive appellation of "the New World." 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Papal Bull of Partition. Preparations for a second Voy- 
age of Discovery. [1493.] 

1. The Spanish sovereigns lost no time in taking 
m<?HKures to secure their new acquisitions. A bull was 



V 



tib LIFE AND VOYAGES 

obtained from the Pope, granting- them dominion over ail 
the lands discovered, or that might be disco',^]^d, in the 
new Vv'orld) on condition of propagating- th^Bubristian 
religion among t!i;3 mliabitants. 

2. This was in virtue of a supreme authority over all 
temporal things, supposed, by the zealous Christians of 
those days, to be vested in the PopOj as Christ's vicar on 
earth ; and by which lio v/as empowered to dispose of all 
heathen lands to such potentates as would undertake to 
convert or subdue them to the Catholic faith. 

3. Lest the discoveries of the Spanish should interfere 
with those of tlie Portuguesej which had lilvcwise been 
secured by a papal bull, an ideal line was drawn, by or- 
der of the Popo, ffom the north to the south pole, a hun- 
dred leagues west of the Azores and the Cape de Verde 
islands. All land discovered to the west of this line wa» 
to belong to Spain ; all land discovered in the contrary 
direction was to belong to Portugal. 

4. The utmost exertions were now made to lit out a 
second expedition. An ofiice was established at Seville 
for the despatch of business, which was the germ of the 
royal India house. Juan Rodriguez de Fonseca, arch- 
deacon of Seville, was appointeci superintendent of In- 
dia affairs, Francisco Pinelo treasurer, and Juan de Soria 
comptroller. No one was permitted to embark for the 
new world v.'ithout a license from either the sovereigns, 
Columbus, or Fonseca. 

5. Labourers and artisans of all kinds were engaged 
for the projected colony, and every thing provided neces- 
*;ary for cultivating the soil, working tlie mines, and tra- 
ding with the natives. 

G. Bernardo Boyle, an able, but crafty, Benedictine 
monk, was appointed by the pope as his apostolical vicar 
for the new world. Twelve ecclesiastics were chosen 
to accompany him, charged with the religious instruction 
of the Indians, and provided by Isabella with all things 
necessary for the dignified discharge of their mission. 

7. The queen considered the natives as committed by 
heaven to her peculiar care, and enjoined that they shoul*! 
be treated with the utmost kindness ; and that signal 
punishment should be inflicted upon all who should wrong 



or COLUMBUS. 67 

them. Those who had been brouglit by the admiral to 
Barcelona, were baptized with great state and solemnity, 
the king-, queen, and prince Juan standing- as spdnsors. 

8. The magnificent ideas entertained of the new world 
drew volunteers of all kinds ; men of rank, officers of the 
royal household, and youthful cavaliers. Some were en- 
listed in the royal service, others engaged at their own 
risk and expense. Few had any distinct idea of the en- 
terprise in which they were engaging ; but fancied they 
were about to have glorious adventures and golden gains, 
m tlie splendid but semi-barbarous comitries of Asia. 

9. Among these adventurers was a young cavalier of 
good family, named Alonzo de Ojeda.* He was small 
in stature, but muscular and well made, and of incredible 
strength and agility. His countenance was dark, hand- 
some, and expressive, with a daring eye. An admira- 
ble horseman, a master of all kmds of weapons, he was 
eminently calculated for partisan service. 

10. Bold of heart, free of spirit, open of hand — fierce in 
fight, quick in brawl, but ready to forgive, and prone to 
tbrget an injury--^— he was for a long time the idol of the 
tash youth who flocked to the new world, and became 
noted for many wild and perilous exploits. 

11. The very first notice we have of him, is a haif^ 
brained feat performed in presence pf the queen, on the 
.Moorish tower of tlie cathedral of Seville. A great beam 
projected about tw^ty feet from the tower, at an im- 
mense height from tlie ground ; along this beam Ojeda 
walked briskly with ai much confidence as if pacing hia 
chamber. 

12. When arrived at the end, he stood on one leg, 
with the other elevated in the air^; then turning nimbly* 
walked back to the tower, placed one foot against it, 
and threw an orange to the summit ; which could only 
have been done by one possessed of immenee muscular 
strength. Throughout all this exploit, the least giddi* 
ness, or false step, would have precipitated him to the 
earth and dashed him to pieces. 

13. During the fitting out of the armament, variouft 



ProQounced Oheda. 



68 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

disputes occurred between Columbus and the newly ap- 
pointed officers of the crown, in reg-ard to the expenses of 
the expedition, and his own retinue as viceroy. Both 
Fonseca and Juan de Soria, were rej)rimanded by the 
Bovereig-ns, and ordered to comply in every thing with 
the wishes of Columbus. 

14. They were deeply mortified ; and from this trifling 
cause arose a bitter hostility in the breast of Fonseca, 
against the admiral, which every year increased in ran- 
cour, and which his official station enabled him to grati- 
fy in the most invidious manner. This Fonseca main- 
tained a control of Indian affairs for about thirty years, 
and, in the gratification of his private resentments, heap- 
ed wrongs and sorrows on the heads of the most illus- 
trious of the early discoverers. 

-«««®©— 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Departure of Columbus on his second Voyage of Discovery. 
Arrival at Hispaniola. [149y.] 

1. The departure of Columbus on his second voyage 
of discovery presented a brilliant contrast to his gloomy 
embarkation at Palos. On the 25th of September, at 
the dawn of day, the bay of Cadiz was wiiitencd by his 
fleet. There were three large sliips of heavy burden, 
and fourteen caravels. The number of persons permit- 
ted to embark had originally been limited to one thou- 
sand ; but many volunteers were allowed to enlist without 
pay, others got on board of the ships by stealth, so that 
eventually about fifteen hundred set sail in tne fleet. 

2. All were full of animation, and took a gay leave of 
their friends, anticipating a prosperous voyage and tri- 
umphant return. Instead of being regarded by the popu- 
lace as devoted men, bound upon a dark and desperate 
enterprise, they were contemplated with env}', as favour- 
ed mortals destined to golden regions and delightful 
climes, where nothing but wealth, and wonder, and en- 
joyment awaited them. 



OF COLUMBUS. 



69 



3. Columbus moved among the throng- accompanied 
by his sons, Diego and Fernando, the eldest but a strip- 
ling-, who had come to witness his departure. Wherever 
he passed, every eye followed him with admiration, and 
every tongue extolled and blessed him. Before sunrise 
the whole fleet was under weig-li; the wr^ather was 
serene and propitious, and as the populace watched their 
parting- sails, brightening in the morning beams, they 
looked forward to their joyful return, laden with tho 
treasures of the new world. 

4. Columbus touched at the Canary islands, where he 
took in wood and water, and procured live stock, plants, 
and seeds, to be propagated in Hispaniola. On the 13th 
of October he lost sight of the island of Ferro, and, 
favoured by the trade winds, was borne pleasantly along, 
shaping his course to the south-west, hoping- to fall in 
with the islands of the Caribs, of which ne had received 
such interesting- accounts in his first voyage. At the 
dawn of day of the 2d of November, a lofty island \v^a3 
descried to the west, to vi'hich he gave the name of Do- 
minica, from having discovered it on Sunday. 

5. As the ships moved gently onward, other islands 
rose to sight, one after another, covered with forests, and 
enlivened by flights of parrots and other tropical birds, 
while the whole air was sweetened by the fragrance of the 
breezes which passed over them. These were a part of 
that beautiful cluster of islands called the Antilles, which 
sweep almost in a semicircle from the eastern end of 
Porto Rico, to the coast of Paria on the southern conti- 
nent, forming a kind of barrier between the main ocean- 
and the Caribbean sea. 

6.' In one of those islands, to which they gave the name 
of Guadaloupe, the Spaniards first met with the delicious 
anana, or pine apple. They were struck with horror, 
however, at the sight of human limbs hanging in the 
houses, and others broiling or roasting at the fife. Co- ' 
lumbus now concluded tliat he had arrived at the isfanda 
of the cannibals, or Caribs, and he was confirmed in this 
belief by several captives taken by his men. 

7. These Caribs were the most ferocious people of 
these seas ; making roving expeditions in their canoes 



70 I^JFB AND VOYAGES 

to the distance of one hundred and fifty leagues, invading 
the islands, ravaging the villages, making slaves of the 
youngest and handsomest females, and carrying off the 
men to be killed and eaten. 

8. While at this island, a party of eight men, strayed 
into the v/oods, and did not return at night to the shif>s. 
On the following dq.y, parties were sent in quest of them, 
each with a trumpeter, to sound calls and signals, and 
guns were fired from the sliips, but all to no purpose. 

9. Alonzo do Ojeda then set off with forty men mt? 
the interior of the island, beating up the forests, aR'i 
making the mountains and valleys resound with trumpet* 
and fire-arms, but with no better success. Their search 
was rendered excessively toilsome by the closeness an(i 
luxuriance of the forests, and by the windings and dou- 
blings of the streams. 

10. Several days elapsed without tidings of the strag- 
glers, and Columbus, giving them up for lost, was on the 
point of sailing, when they made their way back to the 
fleet, haggard and exhausted. For several days they 
had been bewildered in the mazes of a forest so dense as 
almost to exclude the day. 

11. Some of them had climbed trees in hopes of get- 
tmg a sight of the stars by which to govern tlieir course, 
but the height of the branches shut oat all view of the 
heavens. They were almost reduced to despair, when 
they fortunately arrived at the sea shore, and keeping 
along it, came to where the fleet was at anchor. 

12. After leaving Gaudaloupc, Columbus touched at 
other of the Caribbean islands. At one of them, a ship's 
boat, sent on shore for water, had an encounter with a 
canoe, in which were a few Indians, two of whom were 
females. The women fought as desperately as the men, 
and phed their bows with such vigour, that one of them 
sent an arrow through a Spanish buckler, and wounded 
the soldier wlio bore it. 

13. The canoe being run down and overset, they con- 
tinued to fight while in the water, gathering themselves 
occasionally on sunken rocks, and managing their wea« 
pons as dexterously as if they had been on firm grouiad. 
It was wjth the utmost <Jifficulty they could be oveipiaw- 



OF COLUMBUS. 71 

emd and taken. When brought on boa-rd the ships, the 
Spaniards could not but admire their untamed spirit and 

fiurce demeanour. 

14. One of the females, from the reverence with which 
the rest treated her, aj^peared to be their queen : she was 
accompanied by her son, a young- man strong'ly made, 
witli a haughty and frowning brow, who liad been wound- 
ed in tlie combat. One of the Indians iiad been trans- 
pierced by a lance, and died of the wound ; and one of 
the Spaniards died a day or two afterwards, of a wound 
received from a poisoned arrow. 

15. Pursuing liis voyage, Columbus passed by a cliis- 
ter of small islands, to which he gave the name of The 
Eleven Thousand Virgin?, and arrived one evening in 
sight of a great island, covered with fine forests, and in» 
dented witJi havens. It was called by the natives Bori- 
quen, and is the same since known by the name of Porto 
Rico, After running along its beautiful coast, he arrived 
otf the eastern extremity of Hayti, or Hispaniola. 

16. Passing by the gulf of Arrows, wher« the skirmish 
had occurred with the natives, Columbus set on shore 
one of tlie young Indians who had been taken from the 
neighbourhood, and had accompanied him to Spain. He 
dismisr-ed him finely apparelled and loaded with trinkets, 
anticipating favourable effects from the accounts he 
would bo able to give to liis countrymen of the power 
and munificence of the Spaniards, but he never heard 
any thing of him more. 

17. Only one Indian, of those who had been to Spain, 
pemained in the fleet, a young Lucayan, who had been 
baptized at Barcelona, and named after the admiral's 
brother, Diego Colon ; lie continued always faithful an^ 
devoted to the Spaniards. 

18. Continuing along the coast, Columbus landed in 
the neighbourhood of a i-^tream said to abound in gold, to 
which, in his first voyage, he jiad given the name of Rio 
del Oro.* Here, as the seamen were ranging the shore, 
they found the bodies of three men and a boy, one of 
whom had a rope of Spanish grass about his neck, and 
another, from having a beard, was evidently a European. 

♦River of G« id. 



6 



7$ LIFE AND VOYAGES 

19. The bodies were in a state of decay, but bore the 
3iarks of violence. This spectacle gave rise to many 
gloomy forebodings, and Coiumbus hastened forward to 
La Navidad, full of apprehensions that some disaster had 
befallen Diego de Arana and his companions. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Fate of the Fortress of La Navidad. Transactions at 
the Harbour. [1493.] 

1. On the evening of the 27th of November, Colum- 
bus anchored opposite to the hurbour of La Navidad, 
about a league from the land. As it was too dark to dis- 
tinguish objects, he ordered two signal guns to be fired. 
The report echoed along the shore, but there was no gun, 
or light, or friendly shout in reply. Several hours passed 
away in the most dismal suspense ; about midnight, a 
number of Indians aame OiT in a canoe, and inquired for 
the admiral, refusing to come on board until they should 
see him personally. 

2. Columbus showed himself at the side of his vessel, 
^nd a light being held up, his countenance and command- 
ing person were not to bo mistaken. Tiie Indians now 
entered the ship without hesitation. One was a cousin 
of the cacique Guacanagari, and the bearer of a present 
from him. 

3. The first inquiry of Columbus wa.? concerning the 
garrison. He was informed that several of the Spaniards 
liad died of sickness, otliers liad fallen in a <juarrei among 
themselves, and otliers had removed to a different part of 
]the island ; — that Guacanagari had been assaiJcd by Cao- 
nabo, the fierce cacique of the golden mountains of Cibao, 
who had wounded him in combat, and burnt his village, 
and that he remained ill of his wound in a neighbouring 
hamlet. 

4. Melancholy aa were these tidings, they relieved 
Coiuinbufl from the painful suspicion of treacheiy on the 
pv^of the cacique and people, and g^ave him hopes of 



OP COLUMBUS. 73 

finding some of the scattered garrison still alive. The 
Indians were well entertained, and gratified with presents ; 
on departing they promised to return in the morning 
with Guacanagari. 

5. The morning, however, dawned and passed away, 
and the day declined, without the promised visit from the 
chieftain. There was a silence and an air of desertion 
about the whole neighbourhood. Not a canoe appeared 
in the harbour ; not an Indian hailed them from the land ; 
nor was there any smoke to be seen rismg Irom among 
the groves. 

6. Towards the evening, a boat was sent on shore. 
The crew found the fortress burnt and demolished, the 
palisadoes beaten down, and the ground strewed with* 
broken chests, and the fragments of European garments. 
Not an Indian approached them, and if they caught a 
siglit of any lurking among the trees, tiiey vanished on 
finding themselves perceived. 

7. Columbus himself landed on the following mornings 
and, repairing to the niins of the fortress, caused diligent 
search to be made for the dead bodies of the garrison. 
Cannon were discharged to summon any survivors that 
might be in the neigiibourhood, but none made their ap- 
pearance. Columbus had ordered Arana and his fellow 
officers, in case of sudden danger, to bury all the treasure 
they might possess, or throw it in the well of the fortress. 
The well was therefore searched, and excavations were 
made among the ruins, but no gold was to be found. 

8. Not far from the fortress the bodies of eleven Eu- 
ropeans were discovered buried in different places, 
and they appeared to have been for stxne time in the 
ground. In the houses of a neighbouring hamlet were 
found several European articles, which could not have 
been procured by barter. Tliis gave suspicions that the 
fortress had been plundered by the Indians in the vicinity. 

9. At length a communication was effected with some 
of the natives. It appeared, from their story, that Co- 
lumbus had scarcely set sail for Spain, when all his coun- 
sels snd commands faded from the minds of those who 
remained behind. Instead of cultivating the good will 
)f the natives, they endeavoured, by all kinds of wroner- 



74 LIFE AND \OYAGE8 

fill moans, to get possession of their golden ornaments 
and otlier articles of value, and seduced from them their 
wives and daiig-hters. 

10:. Fierce brawls occurred between themselves, about 
tbeir ill-gotteu spoils, or the favours of the Indian wo- 
men. In vain did Diego do Arana interpose his authori- 
ty ; all oi-fTer, all subordination, all unanimity, were at an 
end. Pedm Gutierrez and Rodrigo de Escobedo, whom 
Columbus had left as lieutenants to succeed Arana in case 
of accident, now aspired to an equal share in the authority. 

11. In tiie quarrels which succeeded, a Spaniard was 
killed, and Gutierrez and Escobedo, having failed in their 
object, withdrew from the fortress, with nine of their ad- 
herents and a number of women, and set off for the 
mountains ofCibao, with the idea of procuring immense 
wealth from its golden mines. 

12. These monntains were in the territories of the 
famous Caonabo^ called by the Spaniards "the lord of the 
golden house." He was a Carib by birth, and had come 
an adventurer to tlie island, but, jjossessing the fierce- 
ness and enterprise o«f his nation, had made himself the 
most powerful caciquo. Tlie wondeiful accounts of the 
white men had reached him among his mountains, and 
he fearnd such formidable intruders. 

18. The dopailuro of Columbus liad given hhn hopes 
tliat their intrusion would be but temporary ; the discords 
of those who remained increased his confidence. No soon- 
er, therefore, did Gutierrez and Escobedo, with their 
companions, app'^ar in h's dominions, than he seized 
th^m and put them to death. He then assembled his 
waniors, tra\'ersed the forest with profound secrecy, and 
arri\ed m the vicinity of La Navidad witliout being 
discovored. 

li. But ton men remained in the fortress witli Arana ; 
the rest were livina* in careless security in tiie village. 
In the dead of the iiight Caonabo ar.d his warriors burst 
upon the place with frightful yells, and set fire to the for- 
tress and village. 

15. The Spaniards were taken by surprise. Eight 
were driven into the sea, and drowned ; the rest were 
massacred. Guacanagari and his subjects fought faith- 



OF COLUMBUS, 75 

t 

fully in defence of their guests, but were easily routed. 
The cacique was wounded in the conflict, and his villag-e 
burut to tlie g-rouud. 

16. Satisfied by this account^ of the good faith of Gua- 
canagari, Columbus visited him in a neighbouring village, 
where lie was sufl'ering apparently from a bruise in the 
\(ig, received in the bat:tl.;. He was gr:?atly agitated on 
seeing the admiral, and deplored with tears the misfor- 
tunes of the garrison. Tlie bandages were removed from 
his leg by a Spanish surgeon, but no sign of a wound was 
to be seen, though he shrunk with pain whenever the 
limb was touched. 

17. Many of the Spaniards looked upon his lameness 
as feigned, and ithe whole story of the battle a fabrication 
to conceal his perfidy. Cohimbus, liowever, persisted in 
believing him inuijcenl, and invited him on board of his 
ships, where the cacique wiis greatly astonisbed at the 
wonders of art and nature brought from the old world. 

IS. What most amazed him was the horses. He had 
never seen any but the most diminutive quadrupeds, and 
gazed with awe at the grandeur of tiiose noble animals,, 
their great strength, terrific appearance, yet perfect do- 
cility. Tlie sight of the Carib prisoners also increased 
his idea of the prowess o'l the Spaniards, who had tlie 
hardihood to invade these terrible beings even in tlu'ir 
strong holds, v.diiie he could scarcely look upon them 
without sh«(klering, though in chains. 

19. On Ixcjard tiie ship were several Indian women 
who had been (captivs to the Caribs. Among them was 
©ne distingwislied by a certain loftiness of demeanour ; 
ghe ha.d been much noticed and admired by the Spaniards, 
vho biad given her tiie name of Catalina. She particu- 
larly attract'^d the attention of the cac'qiie, who spoke to 
her repeatedly, w'th great gentleness of tone and manner. 

"^l. A collation was served up, and Columbus endea- 
voured by kindness and hospitality to revive their former 
cordial intercourse, but the cacique was evidently dis- 
trustful and ill at ease. The sus})icions of his guilt gained 
ground amono- the Spatiiards, Fatlier Bovle, in particu- 
lar, regarded him with an evil eye, and advised the ad- 
cniral, now that he had him securely on board of his ship, 



76 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

* 

to detain him prisoner ; but Columbus rejected the coun. 
sel of the crafty friar, as contrary to sound policy and 
honourable faith. 

21. The cacique, accustomed in his former intercourse 
with the Spaniards to meet on every side v/ith faces 
beaming with gratitude and friendship, could not but 
perceive the altered looks of cold suspicion and secret 
hostility. Notwithstanding the frank and cordial hos- 
pitaliiy of the admiral, therefore, he soon took leave and 
returned to land. 

22. On the follovving" day there was a mysterious 
movement and agitation among the natives on shore. 
The brother of Guacanagari came on board, under pre- 
text of bartering a quantity of gold, but as it afterwards 
proved to bear a message to Catalina, the Indian female, 
whose beauty had captivated tlie heart of tlie cacique, 
and whom, with a kind of native gallantry, he wished to 
deliver from bondage. 

2J3. At midnight, when the crew were buried in their 
first sleep, Catahna awakened her female companions, 
and proposed a bold attempt to gain their liberty. The 
ship was anchored full three miles from the shore, and 
the sea was rough ; but these island women were accus- 
tomed to buffet with the waves, and the water was to 
them almost as their natural element. 

24. Letting themselves down silently from the side of 
the vessel, they trusted to the strength of their arms, and 
swam bravely for the shore. They were overheard by 
the watch, the alarm was given, the boats were manned 
and gave chase in the direction of a light blazing on the 
shore, an evident beacon for the fugitives. vSuch was 
the vigour of tliese sea nymplis, however, that they 
reached tlie land before they were overtaken. 

25, Four were captured on the beach, but the heroic 
Catalina, with the rest of her companions, escaped in 
safety to the forost, Guacanagari disappeared on the 
same day with all his hou3i;l\t)ld and effects, and it was 
supposed he had taken refuge, with tiis island beauty, in 
the interior. His desertioii gave redoubled force to the 
doubts heretofore entertained, and he was generally stig- 
matized as the perfidious destroyer of the garrison. 



OP COLUMBUS. 17 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Founding of the Giiy of Isabella. Discontents of the 
People. [1493.] 

1. The misfortunes which had befallen the Spaniards, 
in the vicinity of this harbour, threw a g-loom over the 
place, and it was considered as unaer some baneful in- 
fluence, or malignant star. The situation, too, was un- 
healthy, and tJiere was no stone in the neighbourhood 
for building-. Columbus, therefore, removed to a har- 
bour about ten leagues east of Monte Christi, protected 
on one side by a natural rampart of rocks, and on the 
other by an imper\'iou3 forest, with a fine plain in the 
vicinity, watered by two rivers. 

2. Here the troops and persons to be employed in the 
colony were disembarked, together with the stores, arms, 
ammunition, and live stock. An encampment was formed, 
and the plan of a town traced out, and commenced, to 
which Columbus gave the name of Isabella, in honour of 
his royal patroness. 

3. The public edifices, such as a church, a storehouse, 
and a residence for the admiral, were constructed of 
stone ; the rest of wood, plaster, reeds, and such other 
materials as could be readily procured. 

4. For a time every one exerted himself with zeal; 
but maladies soon began to make their appearance. 
Many had suffered from sea sickness, and the long con- 
finement on board of the ships ; others from the exhala- 
tions of a hot and moist climate, dense natural forests, 
and a new, rank soil. 

5. The maladies of the mind also mingled with those 
of the body. Many, as has been shown, had embarked 
in the enterprise with the most visionary and romantic 
expectations. What, then, was their surprise at finding 
themselves surrounded by impracticable forests, doomed 
to tcil pamfully for mere subsistence, and to attain every 
comfort by the severest exertion ! As to gold, which they 
iiad expected to find readily and in abundance, it was to 
be procured only in small quantities, and by patient and 
persevering labour. 

7* 



78 LIPB AND VOYAGES 

6. All these disappointments sank deep into their 
hearts, their spirits flag-g-ed as tlieir golden dreams melt- 
ed away, and the gloom of despondwicy aided the rava- 
ges of disease. Columbus himself was confined to his 
bed for several weeks by severe illness ; but his ener- 
getic mind rose superior to the maladies of the body, and 
he continued to give directions about the building of the 
city, and the general concerns of tiie expedition. 

7. The greater part of the ships were ready to return 
to Spain, but he had no treasure to send with them. It 
was necessary to do something, however, before the ves- 
sels sailed, to keep up the rej)utation of his discoveries. 
The region of the niines lay at a distance of but three or 
four days' journey, directly in the interior ; he determin- 
ed to send an expedition to explore it. 

8. The person chosen for this enterprise was Alonzo 
de Ojeda, who delighted in all service of an adventurous 
nature. He set out from the harbour early in January, 
accompanied by a small number of well-armed men, 
several of them young and spirited cavaliers like himself. 
They crossed the first range of mountains by a narrow 
and winding Indian ])ath, and descended into a vast 
plain, covered with noble tbrests, and studded with vil- 
lages and hamlets. 

9. The inhabitants overwlielmed them with hospital- 
ity, and dela3'ed them in their journey by their kindness. 
They had to ford many rivers also, so that they were six 
days in reaching the chain of mountains, which locked 
up, as it were, the golden region of Cibao. 

10. Here they saw ample signs of natural wealth. 
The sands of the mountain streams contained particles 
of gold ; in some places tliey picked up large specimens 
of virgin ore, and stones streaked and richly impregnated 
with it. Ojeda himseif found a mass of rude gold in one 
of the brooks weighing nine oimccs. 

11. The little band returned to the harbour, with en- 
thusiastic accounts of the golden promise of these moun- 
tains. A young cavalier, named Gorvalan, who had 
been sent to explore a different tract of country, returned 
vath similar reports. Encouraged by these good tidings, 
Columbus lost no time in despatching tv^'clve of tlie ships, 



ep coLUMBtrs. 79 

under the command of Antonio de Torres, retaining- only 
five for the service of the colony. 

12. By these ships he sent home specimens of g-old, 
and of fruits and plants of unknown and valuable species, 
together with the Carib captives, to oe instructed in the 
Spanisli languag-e and the Christian faith, that they rnight 
serve as interpreters, and aid in the conversion of their 
countrymen. He wrote also a sanguine account of the 
two expeditions into the interior, and expressed a confi- 
dent expectation of making abundant shipments of gold, 
spices, and valuable drugs. 

18. He extolled the fertility of the soil, evinced in the 
luxuriant growth of the sugar-cane, and of various Eu- 
ropean grains and vegetables ; but entreated supplies of 
provisions tor the immediate wants of the colony, as their 
stores were nearly exhausted, and they could not accus- 
tom themselves to the diet of the natives. 

14. In his anxiety to lighten the expenses of the colo- 
ny, and procure revenue to the crown, he recommended 
that the natives of the Caribbean islands, being cannibals 
and ferocious invaders of their peaceful neighbours, 
should be captured and sold as slaves, or exchanged with 
merchants for live stock and other necessary supplies. 
He observed, that, by transmitting these infidels to Eu- 
rope, where they would have the benefits of Christian 
instruction, there would be so many souls snatched from 
perdition, and so many converts gained to the faith. 

15. Such is the strange sophistry by which upright 
men may deceive themselves, and think they are obey- 
ing the dictates of their conscience, when, in fact, they 
are but listening to the incitements of their interest. It 
is but just to add, that the sovereigns did not accord with 
him in his ideas, but ordered that the Caribs should be 
treated like the rest of the islanders ; a command which 
emanated from the merciful heart of Isabella, who ever 
showed herself the benign protectress of the Indians. 

16. When the fleet arrived in Europe, though it 
brought no gold, yet the tidings from Columbus and his 
companions kept up the popular excitement. There 
was something wonderfully grand in the idea of building 
cities, extenduig colonies, and sowing the seeds of civil. 



80 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

ization and of enlightened empire in this beautiftd but 
savage world. 

17. It struck the minds of learned and classical men 
with admiration, filling them with pleasant dreams and 
reveries, and seemmg to realize the poetical pictures of 
the olden time ; when Saturn, Ceres, and Triptolemus 
travelled about the earth to spread new inventions among 
mankind. 

18. But while sanguine anticipations were indulged 
in Europe, murmuring and sedition began to prevail 
among the colonists. Disappointed in their hopes of 
wealth, disgusted with the labours imposed upon them, 
and appalled by the prevalent maladies, they looked with 
liorror upon the surrounding wilderness, and became im- 
patient to return tp Spain. 

19. Their discontents were increased by one Firmin 
Cado, who had come out as assayer and purifier of metals, 
but whose ignorance in his art equalled his obstinacy of 
opinion. He insisted that there was scarcely any gold 
in the island, and that all the specimens brought by the 
natives had been accumulated in the course of several 
generations, and been handed down from father to son 
in their families. 

20. At length a conspiracy was formed, headed by 
Bernal Diaz de Pisa, the comptroller, to take advantage 
of the illness of Columbus, to seize upon the ships re- 
maining in the harbour, and to return to Spain. Fortu- 
nately Columbus received information in time, and ar- 
rested the ringleaders. Bernal Diaz was confined on 
board of one of the ships, to be sent to Spain for trial ; 
and several of the inferior mutineers were punished, but 
not with the seventy their offence deserved. 

21. This was the first time Columbus exercised the 
right of punishing delinquents in his new government, 
and it immediately caused a great clamour against him. 
Already the disadvantage of being a foreigner was clearly 
manifested. He had no natural friends to rally round 
him ; whereas the mutineers had connexions in Spain, 
friends in the colony, and met with sympathy in every 
discontented mind. 



OF COLUMBUS. 81 



CHAPTER XX. 

Expedition of Columbus into the hit^rior of Hispaniola. 
[1494.] 

1. To quiet the murmurs and rouse the spirits of Jiis 
people, Columbus, as soon as liis health permitted, made 
an expedition to the mountains of Cibao, leaving- his 
brother Diego in command at Isabella. He departed, on 
the r2th of March, at the head of four hundred men, 
armed with helmets and corslets, with arquebuses, lances, 
swords, and crossbows, and followed by labourers and 
miners, and a multitude of the neighbouring" Indians. 

2. After traversing- a plam, and fording two rivers, 
they encamped in the evening at the foot of a wild pass of 
the mountains, up which there was nothing but an Indian 
foot-path winding among rocks and precipices, and thick 
forests. A number of high spirited young cavaliers threw 
themselves in the advance, and by aiding the pioneers, 
and stimulating them with promises, they soon construct- 
ed the first road formed by Europeans in the new world, 
which, in commemoration of their generous zeal, was 
called the Pass of the Gentlemen.* 

»'3. On the following day the army toiled up this steep 
defile, and an*ived where the gorge of the mountain open- 
ed into the interior. Hero a glorious prospect burst upon 
their view. Below lay a vast and delicious plain, enam- 
elled with all the rich variety of tropical vegetation. 
The magnificent forests presented that mingled beauty 
and majesty of vegetable forms peculiar to these generous 
climates. 

4. Palms of prodigious height, and spreading maho- 
e-any trees, towered from amid a wilderness of variegated 
foliage. Universal freshness and verdure were main- 
tained by numerous streams which meandered gleaming- 
through the ([9^]) bosom of the woodland, wliile various 
villages and.hamlets seen among the trees, and ihe smoke 
of others rising out of the forests, gave sig-ns of a nume«- 
rouij population. 

;* E! Puerto dc los Hidalgos, i 



82 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

5. The luxuriant landscape extended as far as the eye 
could reach, until it ap})eared to melt away and mingle 
with the horizon. The Spaniards gaz^d with rapture 
upon this soft voluptuous country^ wliich seemed to 
realize their ideas of a terrestrial paradise ; and Colum- 
bus, struck with its vast extent, gave it the name of tlie 
Veg-a Real, or Royal Plain. 

G. 'When the Indians heheld -this band of warriors, 
emerging from 'the meuntains with prancing steeds and 
floatnig banners, and glittering armour, and heard, for 
the first tin^.e, their rocks and forests echoing to the din 
of drum and trumpet, they were bewildered with astonish- 
ment. The horsesi, especially, excited their terror and 
admiration. They at first supposed the rider and his 
steed to 1x3 one animal, and nothing could exceed their 
surprise on seeing the horseman dismount. 

7. On tiie approach of the Spaniards, the Indians ge- 
nerally ded with terror, but their fears were soon dispelled ; 
they then absolutely retarded the march of the army by 
their hospitality ; nor did they appear to have any idea of 
receiving a recompense for the provisions they furnished 
in abundance. The untutored savag'\ in almost every 
pait of the world, scorns to make a trafilck of hospitality. 

8. Alter inarching for two or three days across this 
noble plain, they arrived at a chain of lofty and rugged 
mountains, amidst wliich lay the golden region of Cibao, 
On entering this ^•aunted country, the whole character of 
the scenery ciianged, as if nature delighted in contra- 
rieties, and displayed a miser-like poverty of exterior, 
when teeming with hidden treasures. 

0. Nothing was to be seen but chains of rocky and 
sterile mountains, scantily clothed with pines. The very 
name of the country bespoke the nature of tJie soil ; Ci- 
bao, in the language of the natives, signifying a stone. 
But what consoled the Spaniards for tlie asperity of the 
soil, \vas to observe particles of gold among the sands of 
the streams, washed down, no doubt, from the mines of the 
mountaivis. 

10. Choosing a situation in a neighbourhood that 
seemed to abound in mines, Columbus began to build a 
fortress, to which he gave thn name of St. Thomas. 



' OF COLUMBirS. 88 

While thus occupied, a young- cavalier, named Juan 
de Luxan, with a small band of armed men, explored 
the province, and returned, after a; few days, with the 
most satisfactory accounts. The forests appeared to 
abound with spices ; tho trees were overrun with vines 
bearing clusters of g-rapes of pleasant flavour ; while 
every valley and glen had its stream, yielding more or 
less gold dust. 

11. The natives of the surrounding country likewis^p 
flocked to the fortress of St. Thomas, bringing gold to 
exchange fur European trinkets, and telling of regions 
where it was to be found in large masses. As usual, 
however, these golden tracts were always in some re- 
mote valley, or along some rugged and sequestered 
stream ; and the wcaltliiest spot was sure to lie at the 
greatest distance, — for the land of promise is ever beyond 
the momitain. 

.CHAPTER XXI: 

Customs and Characteristics of the Natives. ■ 

1. The fortress of St, Thomas being nearly completed, 
Columbus left it in command of Pedro Margarite, with a 
garrison of flfty-six men, and set out on his return to 
Isabella, He paused for a time in the vega to estabjish 
routes between the fortress and the harbour; during 
which tune lie sojourned in the villages, that his men 
might become accustomed to the food of the natives, and 
that a mutual good will miglit grow up between them. 

2. Columbus had already discovered the error of one 
of his opinions concerning these islanders formed during 
his first voyage. They were not so entirely pacific, nor 
so ignorant ©f warlike arts, as he had imagined ; general- 
ly speaking, liowever^ they were mild and gentle :~ and 
here afew}>articulars concerning them maybe acceptable. 

3. Tliey believed in one Supreme Being, immortal, 
omnipotent, and invisible, inhabiting the sky. They 
never addressed their worship directly to him, but to in- 



S4 LIFE AND VOY.iOI!8 

ferior deities, called zemee, or mediators. Each cftcique, 
each family, and eacli indivdual, liad a particular zemi 
»s a tutelary cr protecting jj;euius ; whose image, gene- 
rally of a hideous form, was placed about their houses, 
carved on th?ir furniture, and sometimes bound to their 
forehead:^ wlien they went to battle. 

4. They believed that these zemes presided over every 
object in nature. Some had sway over the elements, 
causing sterile or abundant years, sending whirlwinds 
and tempests of rain and tliunder, or sweet and temperate 
breezes, and proxific showers. Some governed the seas 
and •^orests, the springs a.nd fountains. They gave 
success in hunting and fishing ; they guided the movm- 
tain streams into safe channels, leading them to meander 
peacefully through the plains ; or, caused them to burst 
forth into floods and torrents, inundating and laying 
waste the valleys. 

5. The Indians were-well acquamted Vv^ith the medi- 
cinal properties of jilants. Their priests acted as phy- 
sicians, curing d'scasps Vv'ith simpler, but making use of 
many mysterious rites ; chajiting arid burning a light in 
the chamber of th<^; paLi':n^, and preter.ding to exorcise 
the malady, and to sciid it to the sea or to tlio mountain 
They practised also many deceptions, makir,g the idols 
to epeakwith oracular voice, to enforce the orders of the 
caciques. 

6. Once a year each cacique held a festival in honour 
of his zemi, when liis subjects formed a procession to the 
teihple, an-ay :d with their most precious ornaments ; 
the young females, carry iiig baskets of cakes, decorated 
with flowers, a,nd sinoing as they advanced, while the 
cacique beat time on an iiidian drum. 

7. After the cakes had been offered to the zemi they 
were broken and distributed among the people, to be pre- 
served in their houses as cliarms against all adverse ac- 
cidents. The young females then danced to the cadenc* 
of songs in praise of their deities, and of the heroic ac- 
tions of their ancient caciques ; and the whole ceremony 
concluded by a grand invocation to the zemi to watch 
over and protect the nation. 

8. The natives believed their island of Hayti to be th« 



OF COLVHBVS. 85 

earliest part of creation, and that the sun and moon is- 
sued out of one of its cdverns to give light to the universe. 
This cavern was consecrated as a temple ; two idols 
were placed in it, and the walls were decorated with 
green branches. In times of great drought the natives 
made pilgrimages and processions to it, with songs and 
dances, and offerings of fruit and flowers. 

9. They ascribed to another cavern the origin of the 
human race. The large men, they said, issued from a 
great aperture ; the little men, from a little cranny. For- 
a long time they dared venture from the cavern only in 
the night, for the sight of the sun was fatal to them, pro- 
ducing wonderful transformations. 

10. One of tlieir number having lingered on a river's 
bank, where he was fishing, until the smi had risen, was 
turned into a bird of melodious note, which yearly, about 
the time of his transformation, is heard singing plain- 
tively in tlie night, bewailing his misfortune. This is the 
same bird which Colmnbus mistook for a nightingale. 

11. When the human race at length emerged from 
the cave, they wandered about disconsolately without 
females, until coming near a small lake, they beheld cer- 
tain animals among the branches of the trees, which 
proved to be women. On attempting to catch them, 
however, they were found to be as slippery as eels, so 
that it was with great dlfnculty they succeeded in se- 
curing four of them ; and from these slippery females the 
world was peopled. 

12. Like most savage nations, they had a traditiwi 
concerning the deluge. There once lived in the island, 
said they, a mighty cacique, who had but one son. De- 
tecting his son in a conspiracy ao-ainst his life, he slevr 
Iiim, but treasured up his bones in a gourd, as was the 
custom of the island. 

13. Some time afler\vard8, the cacique and liis wife 
opened the gourd to mourn over the remains of their 
«on, when, to their surprise, several fish leaped out. 
Upon this the discreet cacique closed the gourd, and 
filaced it on the top of his hut ; boastmg that he had the 
sea shut up witliin it, and could have Esh whenever be 
pleased. 

8 



86 LIFE ANfr YOYAGE8 

14. This boast unluckily excited the curiosity of five 
brothers^ childr 311 of the same binh, prying-, meddlesome 
fellows. Watching their opportunity when the cacique 
was absent, thi;y came and took down the gourd to peep 
into it. 

1.3. In their hurry they let it fall, and it was dashed 
to pieces ; when lo ! to their astonishment and dismay, 
there issued forth a mighty flood, with dolphins and 
sharks, and tumbling- porpoises, and great spouting 
whales ; and the water spread until it overflowed the 
earth, and formed the ocean, leaving only the tops of the 
mountains uncovered, which are the present islands. 

IG. They had singular modes of treating tlie dying 
and the dead. When the life of a cacique was despaired 
of, they strangled him out of a principle of respect, ra- 
ther than suiler liini to die like the vulgar. Common 
people, in like situation, were extended in their ham- 
mocks, bread and water placed beside them, and they 
were then abandoned lo die in soUtndo. 

17. Sometimes tliey were carried to the cacique, and 
if he permitted tliem tlio distinction, they were strangled. 
The body of the deceased was sometimes consumed with 
fire in his liabitation ; sometimes the bo?ies were retain- 
ed, or the head, or a limb, and treasured up among tlie 
family relics. After the death of a cacique, his body was 
opened, dried at a fir;^, and preserved. 

18. Tiiey liad con;\ised notions of the existence of the 
soul when separated from the body, and believed in ap- 
paritions of the deceased. They had an idea that the 
spirits of good men after death were reiinitpd to the spi- 
rits of tlioir ancc'stors and of those they had most loved, 
and were traus!)orted to a h.appy region, generally sup- 
posed to-be near a lake, in the beautifal province of Xa- 
ragua,.in the western part of the island. Here they lived 
in shady and bloomy how::'rs, with lovely females, and 
banqueted on delicious fruits. 

19. Tlie dances to which the natives were so addicted 
were often of a religious and myst'c nature. In these 
were typ'lfied their historical events and fli?ir projected 
enterprises, whetlier of war or hunting. They were per- 
formed to the chaiii of ballads handed down from gen©- 



OF COLUMBVS. 87 

ration to generation ; some containing their notions of 
theology and their religious fables ; others rehearsing 
the deeds of their ancestors. Tliese rhymes they called 
areytos, and sang them to the accompaniment of rude 
timbrels made of the shells of certain fishes, or to the 
sound of a drum made of a hollow tree. 

20. The natives appeared to the Spaniards to be an 
idle and improvident race. They were impatient of all 
kinds of labour, scarcely giving themselves the trouble 
to cultivate the yuca root, the maize, and the sweet po- 
tato, which formed their main articles of food. They 
loitered away existence under the shade of their trees, 
amusing themselves occasionally with games and dances. 

21. In fact, they were destitute of all powerful motives 
to toil, being free from most of those wants which doom 
mankind, in civilized life, and in less genial climes, to 
incessant labour. In the soft region of the vega^ the 
circling seasons brought each its store of fruits, and while 
some were gathered in full maturity, others were ripening 
on the boughs, and buds and blossoms gave promise of 
still succeeding abundance. 

22. What need was there of garnering up and anx- 
iously providing for coming days, to men who lived amid 
a perpetual harvest 1 What need, too, of toilfully spin- 
ning or labouring at the loom, where a genial tempera- 
ture prevailed throughout the year, and neither nature 
nor custom prescribed the necessity of clothing 1 

23. The hospitality which characterizes men in such 
a simple and easy mode of existence was evinced towards 
Columbus and his followers, during their sojourn in the 
vega. Wherever they went, it was a continual scene of 
festivity and rejoicing ; and the natives hastened from 
all parts to lay the treasures of their groves, and sireams, 
and mountains, at the feet of beings whom they still con- 
sidered as descended from the skies, to bring blessings 
to their island. 

24. As we accompany Columbus, in imagination, on 
his return over the rocky height from whence tlie vega 
first broke upon his eye, we cannot but cast back a look 
of mingled pity and admiration over this beautiful but 
devoted region. The dream of natural liberty and igno- 



88 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

rant content was as yet unbroken, but the fiat had gone 
forth ; the white man had penetrated into the land ; ava- 
rice, and pride, and ambition, and sordid care, and pining 
labour, were soon to follow, and the indolent paradise of 
the Indian was about to disappear for ever. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Sidcness and Discontent at the Settlement of Isabella. Pre- 
parations of Columbus for a Voyage to Cuba. [1494.] 

1. Scarcely had Columbus returned to the harbour, 
when he received tidings from Pedro Margarite, that 
Caonabo was preparing to attack fort St. Thomas. From 
what he had seen of the natives, however, and of their 
fear of the white men and their horses, he felt little un- 
easiness, and contented himself with sending twenty men 
to the fortress, and thirty more to open a road between 
it and the harbour. 

2. His chief anxiety v;as about the settlement. Sick- 
ness prevailed there, and the stock of medicine was ex- 
hausted. Provisions grew scanty, and all hands, without 
exception, were put upon allowance. This caused loud 
murmurs, in which many in office took a part, who ought 
to have been foremost in supporting measures for the 
conunoH safety. Among these was Friar Boyle, the 
Pope's Vicar, who could not brook being put on the same 
allowance with the commonalty. 

3. Further measures of safety increased the public 
irritation. The flour was exhausted ; a mill must be im- 
mediately erected to grind the corn. Most of the work- 
men were ill. In this emergency every one in health, 
without distinction of persons, was called upon to work. 
Numbers, who pridod themselves upon their rank, refused 
to comply, but were rigorously compelled. 

4. This gave deep and lasting umbrage to the proud 
cavaliers in the colony, and their relatives in Spain. Co- 
lumbus was inveighed against as an upstart foreigner, 
inJBated with sudden authority, and eager for wealth, who, 



OF COLUMBUS, 83 

in the pursuit of his own ends, trampled upon the dignity 
of Spanish gentlemen, and insulted the honour of the 
nation. 

5. The fate, in truth, of many of the young cavaliers 
who had come out in this expedition, deluded by roman- 
tic dreams, was lamentable in the extreme. Some of 
them had been brought up in ease and indulgence, and 
were little calculated to endure the hardships of the 
wilderness. 

6. If they fell ill, their case soon became incurable. 
They suffered under the irritation of wounded pride, and. 
the morbid melancholy of disappointed hope ; their sick 
bed was destitute of the tender care and soothing atten- 
tion to which they had been accustomed, and they sank 
mto the grave in all the sullenness of despair, cursing the 
day that they had left their country. 

7. So strong an effect had the untimely and dreary 
death of these cavaliers upon the public mind, that many 
years afterwards, when the settlement of Isabella was 
abandoned, and had fallen to ruins, its deserted streetB 
were said to be haunted by their spectres, walking about 
in ancient Spanish dresses, with long rapiers and broad 
hats, saluting the wayfarer in stately and mournful 
silence, and vanishing on being accosted. Their melan- 
choly story was insidiously made use of by the enemies 
of the admiral ; for it was said that they had been seduced 
from their homes by his delusive promises, and sacrificed 
by hhn to his private interests. 

8. Columbus was desirous of departing on a vo3''ao-€ 
to explore the coast of Cuba, but it was indispensable, be- 
fore sailing-, to place the affairs of the island in a state 
of tranquillity. For this purpose he determined to send 
all the men that could be spared into the interior, where 
they could subsist among the natives, and become accus- 
tomed to their diet, while tlieir force would overawe any 
hostile cacique. 

9. A little army was accordingly mustered of about 
four hundred men, among virhom were sixteen horsemen. 
These were to be conmianded by Pedro Margarite ; who 
was to go from province to province, take note of the soil, 
climate, and productions, preserve strict order among his 

8 + 



90 LIFE AND VOYAOCS 

troops, and treat the natives with the utmost kindness 
and justice. 

10. Ojeda set off to conduct this force to the fortress 
of St. Thomas, wliere hf was to saoceed Margarite in 
the command. On his way tie learnt that three Span- 
iards had been robbed of their effects by five Indians, who 
had undertaken to carry them across a river, and that 
the delinquents had been sheltered by their cacique, who 
tihared the booty. 

11. Ojeda was a quick soldier, and had a summary 
mode of dispensing justice. He seized one of the thieves, 
ordered his ears to be cut off in the public square of the 
village, and sent the cacique, with his son and nephew, 
in chains to the admiral. 

12. Columbus thought it necessary to make an exam- 
pie of these men, to deter the natives in future from mo- 
lesting the Spaniards that might be scattered about the 
island. He ordered, therefore, that they should be taken 
to the public square, their crime proclaimed by the crier, 
and their heads struck off. At the place of execution, a 
neighbouring cacique, friendly to the parties, interceded 
for the prisoners, pledging himself that the offence should 
not be repeated. 

13. At this juncture a horseman rode into the town. 
He came from the fortress, and, iu passing through the 
village of the captive cacique, had found five Spaniards 
in the power of four hundred Indians. He charged upon 
the midtitude, put them to flight, wounded several with 
his lance, and brought off his countr}'men in triumph. 

14. Satisfied by this circumstance, that nothmg was 
to be feared from this timid people, provided the Span- 
iards conformed to the orders he had given ; and thinking 
the Indians had been already sufficiently punished, Co- 
lumbus made a merit of yielding to the entreaties of the 
friendly cacique, and released the prisoners. 

15. He now formed a junto to govern the island du- 
ring his absence. It consisted of his brother Don Diego 
as president, and Father Boyle, Pedro Fernandez Coro- 
nal, Alonzo Sanchez Caravajal, and Juan de Luxan, as 
counsellors. 

16. Leaving in the harbour two of the largest shins. 



OF COLUMBUS. 91 

lie took with him three small vessels, fit to run into the 
shallow water of coasts and rivers, and with these he eet 
sail on the 24th of April. . 

.■*.«^««.^ 
CHAPTER XXIIL 

Cruise of Columbus along the Southern Coast of Cuba. 
[1494.] 

1. The plan of the present expedition of Columbus 
was to revisit Cuba at the point where he had abandoned 
it on his first voyage, and thence to explore it on the 
southern side. As has already been observed, he sup- 
posed it to be a continent, and the extreme end of Asia ; 
and by following^ its shores trusted to arrive at Mangi, 
and Cathay, and other rich countries, forming part of the 
territories of the Grand Khan, described by Marco Polo. 

2. Having arrived at the eastern end -of Cuba, he 
sailed along the southern coast, touching once br twice 
in the harbours. The natives crowded to the shores, 
gazing with astonishment at the ships as they glided 
gently along at no great distance. They held up fruits 
and other provisions, to tempt the Spaniards to land ; 
while others came off in canoes, offering various refresh- 
ments, not in barter, but as free gifts. On inquiring of 
them for gold, they uniformly pointed to the south, inti. 
mating that a great island lay in that directicin, where it 
was to be found in abundance. 

3. On the 3d of May, therefore, Colurnbiis turned hie 
prow directly south. He had not sailed many leagues 
before the blue summits of Jamaica begdn to rise above 
the horizon. It was two days and a night, however, be- 
fore he reached it, filled with admiration; as he gradual- 
ly drew near, at its vast extent} the beauty of its moun- 
tains, the majesty of its forests^ and the great number of 
villages which animated the whc^'b face of the country. 

4. He coasted the island from about the centre to the 
western end. The natives appeared to be more ingenious 
as well as more warlike than those of Cuba and Hayti* 



W LIFE AND V0YA0E8 

Their canoes were constructed with more art, and onia- 
ineiited at the bow and stern with carvins: and painting-. 
Many were of ^^reat size, hollowed from trunks of the 
ma logany and other mag-nificent trees, which rise like 
verdant towers amidst the rich forests of the tropics. 
Every cacique had a larg-e state canoe of the kind. One 
measured ninety-six feet in length, and eight feet in 
breadth, formed of a single tree. 

5. ]Jeing disappointed in his hopes of finding gold in 
Jamaica, Columbus determined to return to Cuba. As 
he was about to leo.ve the island, a young Indian came 
oif tothe ship, and begged that the Spaniards would take 
him with them to their country. He was followed by 
his relatives and friends, supplicating him to abandon his 
purpose. For some time he was distracted between con- 
cern for their distress, and an ardent desire to see the 
home of the wonderful strangers. 

6. Curiosity, and the youthful propensity to rove, at' 
ength prevailed ; he tore himself from the embraces of 

.lis friends, a"nd took refuge in a secret part of the ship, 
iVom the tears and entreaties of his sisters. Touched by 
this scene of natural affection, and pleased with the con- 
fiding spirit of the youth, Columbus ordered that he 
ehould be treated with especial kindness. 

7. Having steered again for Cuba, Columbus, on the 
I8th of May, arrived at a great cape, to which he gave 
the name of Cabo de la Cruz, which it still retains. 
Coasting to the west, he soon got entangled in a labyrinth 
of small islands and keys ; some of tiiem were low, 
naked, and sandy, others covered with verdure, and 
others tufted with lofty and beautiful forests. 

8. As the ships glided along the smooth and glassy 
channels which separated tlie islands, the magnificence 
of their vegetation, the soft odours wafted from flower.><, 
and blossoms, and aromatic siirubs, the splendid plumage 
of scarlet cranes, flamingoes, and other tropical birds, and 
the gaudy clouds of biitterfli'^'s, all resembled what is de- 
scribed of oriental climes. He persuaded liimself, there- 
ore, that these were the islands mentioned by Marcc^ 
Polo, as fringing the coast of Asia, and he gave the clus- 
uer the name of the Queen's Garden. 



OF COLUMBUS. 93 

9. Emerging from this labyrinth, Cohimbus pursued 
his voyag-e with a prosperous breeze along- that part of 
the southern side of Cuba, where, for nearly thirty-five 
leagues, the navigation i.s fcee from banks and islands : 
to his left was the broad and open sea, whose dark-blue 
..'olour gave token of ample depth ; to his right extended 
a richly wooded country, called Ornofay, with noble 
mountains, frequent streams, and numerous villages. 

10. The appearance of the ships spread wonder and 
joy along the coast. The natives came off swimming, or 
m canoes, to offer fruits and other presents. After the 
usual evening shower, when the breeze blew from the 
shore, and brought off the sweetness of the land, it bore 
with it also the distant songs of the natives, and the sound 
of their rude music, as they were probably celebrating, 
with their national chants and dances, the arrival of these 
wonderful strangers on their coasts. 

11. Animated by the delusions of his fancy, Colum- 
bus continued to follow up this supposed continent of 
Asia; plunging into another wilderness of keys and 
islets towards the western end of Cuba, and exploring 
that perplexed and lonely coast, whose intricate clianneta 
are seldom visited, even at the present day, except by 
the lurldng bark of tlie bmnggler and the pirate. 

12. In this navigation he had to contend with almost 
incredible difficulties and perils ; his vessels having to 
be warped through narrow and shallow passages, where 
they frequently ran aground. He was encouraged to 
proceed by information which he received, or fancied he 
received, from the natives, concerning a country farthep 
on called Mangon, where the people wore clothino-, and 
which he supposed must be Mangi, the rich Asiatic prO-. 
vince described by Marco Polo. 

13. His crews seem to have partaken of his delusioB. 
One day while a party on shore was employed in cutting 
wood and filling water casks, an archer strayed into the. 
forest, with his crossbow, in search of game, bat eoon 
returned, flying in breathless terror. 

14. He declared that he had seen through an opornx^ 
glade a man dressed in long white robes, like a friar of 
the order of Mercy, so that at first be took him for the 



94 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

chaplain of the admiral. He was followed by two others 
drepsed in white tunics reaching to their knees, and all 
these had complexions as fair as Europeans. Behind 
them were others, to the number of thirty, armed with 
clubs and lances. 

15. Two parties were despatched, well armed, on the 
following morning, in quest of these people in white : the 
first returned unsuccessful ; the other brought word of 
having tracked the footprints of some large animal with 
claws, supposed by them to have been either a lion or a 
griffin ; but which most probably was an alligator. Dis- 
mayed at the sight, they hastened back to the sea side. 

X6. As no tribe of Indians wearing clothing was ever 
discovered in CUjba, it is probable the men in white were 
nothing else tha,n a flock of cranes, magnified by the 
fears of the wandering archer. These birds, like the 
flamingoes, feed in C9inpany, with one stationed at a dis- 
tance as a sentinel. When seen through an opening of 
the woodlands, standing in rows in a shallow glassy pool, 
their height and erectness give them, at first glance, the 
semblance of human figures. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Return Voyage. 

1. Firmly C9p\mced that he was coasting the shores 
of Asia, Columbus hoped by continuing on to arrive at 
the Aurea Cherspjiesus of the ancients, doubling which, 
he might return to Europe by the way of the Red sea ; 
or, circumnavigating Africa, he miglit pass by the Por- 
tuguese as they were groping along the coast of Guinea, 
and, after havmg navigated round the globe, furl his ad- 
venturous sails at the pillars of Hercules, the neplus ultra 
of the ancient world ! 

2. But, though his fellow voyagers shared his opinion 
that they were coasting the continent of Asia, they shrunk 
from the increasing perils of the voyage. The ships 
were strained and crazed ; the cables and rigging much 
worn ; the provisions nearly exhausted ; and the crews 



OF COLUMBUS, 95 

worn out by incessant labour. The admiral, therefore, 
was finally persuaded to abandon all further prosecution 
of the voyage. 

3. Before he turned back» however, he obliged the offi- 
cers and seamen to sign a deposition, declaring their 
perfect conviction that Cuba was a continent, the begin- 
ning and the end of India. This singular instniment 
was signed near that deep bay called by some the bay of 
Philipina, by others, of Cortes. 

4. At this veiy time, a ship-boy from the mast-head 
might have overlooked the group of islands to the south, 
and have beheld the open sea beyond. Had Columbus 
continued on for two or three days longer, he would have 
passed round the extremity of Cuba ; his illusion would 
have been dispelled, and an entirely different course might 
have been given to his subsequent discoveries. 

5. Returning now towards the east, the crews suffered 
greatly from fatigue and scarcity of provisions, until they 
anchored one day in the mouth of a fine river, in an abun- 
dant country, where the natives soon supplied their wants. 

6. Here Columbus landed one Sunday morning to erect 
a cross, as was his custom in all remarkable pfeces, in 
token of having brought tlie country under the dominion 
of the Catholic church. He was met by the cacique and 
by a venerable Indian fourscore years of age, who pre- 
sented him with a string of their mystic beads, and a 
calibash filled with delicate fruit. 

7. They then walked with him, hand in hand, to a 
stately grove on the river bank\ where he had ordered 
grand mass to be performed. The assembled natives 
looked on with great reveronee. When the ceremony 
was ended, the old man of fourscore approached Colum» 
bus, and thus addressed him : 

8. I am told that thou hast come to these lands with a 
mighty force, and hast snbdned many countries, spread- 
ing great fear among the people. Be not, however, 
vainglorious. Know tliat the souls of men have two 
iourneys to perform after thpy have departed from the 
body ; one to a place dismal, foul, and covered with dark- 
ness, prepared for such as have been unjust and cruel to 
their fellow men; the other full of delight, for such ns 



05 LirS AND VOYAGES 

have promoted peace on earth. If, then, thou art mortal, 
and dost expect to die, beware that thou hurt no man 
wrongfully, neither do harm to those who have done no 
harm to thee. 

9. This speech being interpreted to Columbus, he was 
moved by the simple eloquence of the savage, and re- 
joiced to hear his doctrine of the future state of the soul, 
having supposed that no belief of the kind existed among 
the inhabitants of these countries. He assured the old 
"man that he had been sent by his sovereigns to teach 
them the true religion, to protect them from harm, and 
to subdue their enemies the Caribs. 

10. The venerable Indian was astonished to learn that 
the admiral, whom he had considered so great and pow- 
erful, was yet but a subject ; and when lie was told of the 
grandeur of the Spanish monarchs, and of the wonders 
of their kingdom, a sudden desire seized him to see this 
marvellous country, and it was with difficulty the tears 
and remonstrances of his wife and children could dis- 
suade him from embarking. 

11. Aficr leaving this river, Columbus stood over to 
Jamaica, and for nearly a month continued beating along 
its southern coast. Anchoring one evening in a groat 
bay, he was visited by a cacique, who remained until a 
late hour conversing with the Indian interpreter, about 
the Spaniards and "their country, and their prowess in 
vanquishing the Caribs. 

12. On the following morning, when the ships were 
under weigh, three canoes issued from among the islands 
of the bay. In the centre one, which was large, and 
handsomely carved and painted, wore seated the cacique 
and his family, consisting of two daughters, young and 
beautiful, two sons, and five brothers. They were all 
arrayed in their jewels, and attended by officers deco- 
rated with plumes and mantles of variegated feathers. 

13. The standard-bearer stood in tlie prow with a 
flutt.ering white banner, while other Lidians, fancifully 
painted,"beat upon tabors, or sounded trumpets of fine 
black wood ingeniously carved. The cacique, entering 
on board of the ship, distributed presents among the 
crew, and thus addreesed the admiral : 



OP COLUMBUS. 97 

14. " I have heard of the irresistible power of thy sove- 
reigns, and of the many nations thou hast subdued in 
their name. Thou hast destroyed the dwellings of thv/ 
Caribs, slaying iheir wamors, and carrying their wives 
and children into captivity. All the islands are in dread 
of thee, for who can withstand thee, now that thou know- 
est the secrets of the land, and the weakness of the peo- 
ple 1 Rather, therefore, than thou shouldst take away my 
dominions, I will embark with all my household in thy 
ships, and will go to render homage to thy king and queen, 
and behold thy country, of which I hear such wonders." 

15. When, however, Columbus beheld the wife, the sons 
and daughters of the cacique, and considered to -^vhat ills 
they would be exposed, he was touched with compassion, 
and determined not to take them from their native land. 
He received the cacique under his protection, as a vassal 
of his sovereigns, but dismissed him for the present, pro- 
mising that at some future time he would return and 
gratify his wishes. 

1(5. After leaving Jamaica, he coasted the whole of the 
southern side of Hayti, and experienced great hardships 
in a storm, wliich raged for several days. The weatlier 
having moderated, he set sail eastward, with the inten- 
tion of completing the discovery of the Caribbee islands. 

17. The fatigue, however, which he had suffered, both 
in mind and body, throughout this voyage, had secretly 
preyed upon his health ; and the late tempest had kept 
him in a fever of anxiety. He had shared the hardships 
of the commonest sailor : nay more, for the sailor, after 
the labours of his watch, slept soundly, while the anxious 
commander had to maintain a constant vigil, through 
long stormy nights. 

18. The moment he was relieved from all solicitude, 
and found himself in a tranquil sea, both mind and body 
sank exhausted by almost superhuman exertions. He 

•fell into a deep lethargy, resembling death itself. His 
crew feared that death was really at ha- d. They aban- 
doned, therefore, all farther prosecution of the voyage, 
and spreading their sails to a favourable breeze from the 
east, bore Columbus back, in a state of complete insensi- 
bility, to the harbour of Isabella. 



08 LIFE AND VOYAGES 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Events in Hispaniola. Insurrections of the Natives. 
Expedition of Ojeda against Caonabo. [1494.] 

1. A JOYFUL and heartfelt surprise awaited Cduinbus 
on his arrival, in finding, at his bedside, his brother Bar- 
tholomew, from whom he had been separated for several 
years. It will be recollected, that about the time of the 
admiral's departure for Portugal, he sent his brother to 
offer his project of discovery to the court of England. 

2. On his way thither, Bartholomew was captured by 
a corsair, and met with many hardships, so that years 
elapsed before he was able to lay the proposition before 
king Henry VH. That monarch promptly agreed to 
patronise the enterprise, and Bartholomew returned to 
Spain in quest of his brother ; but, in the interim, Co- 
lumbus had made his discovery, and departed on his 
second voyage. 

3. BarthoJomew was honourably entertained by the 
Spanish sovereigns, and despatched with three ships, 
freighted with supplies to rejoin his brother. He agaiif 
arrived too late, Columbus having departed on his cruise 
ilong the coast of Cuba. He had, fllierefore, avyaited his 
return at Isabella. 

4. It was an inexpressible relief to the admiral to be 
rejoined by this brotlicr. His chief dependence had 
hitherto been upon his other brother, Diego ; but he was 
mild, peaceable, and yielding, aid but little calculated to 
manage a factious colony ; Bartholomew was made of 
sterner stuff. 

5. He was tall, muscular, and vigorous, with a com- 
manding air, and a prompt, active, decided, and fearless 
spirit. He had at times an asperity of temper, and 
abruptness of manners, that made him many enemies ; 
yet, he was generous and just, free from arrogance or 
malevolence, and as placable as he was brave. 

6. He was a thorougli seaman, both in theory and 
practice, having been formed, in a great measure, under 
the eye of the admiral. He does not appear to have beea 



OF COLUMBUS. iJif 

highly educated ; his knowledge, hke that of liis brother, 
being chiefly derived from a long course of varied expe- 
rience and attentive observation, aided by the studies of 
maturer years. Equally vigoroas and penetrating in in- 
tellect with the admiral, but less enthusiastic in spirit 
and soaring in imagination, be surpassed him in the 
adroit management of busines>.', and had more of that 
worldly wisdom which is so in^portant in the ordinary 
concerns of life. 

, 7. Columbus immediately invested his brother with the 
title and authority of Adelantado, an office equivalent to 
that of lieutenant-governor. He Mi the importance of 
his assistance in the present critical state of the colony ; 
for, during the few months that he had been absent, the 
whole island had become a scene of violence and discord. 
A brief retrospect is here necessary to explain the cause 
of this confusion. 

8. Pedro Margarite, who had been left in command of 
the greater part of the forces, instead of proceeding, as 
ordered, on a military tour of the island, lingered among 
the villages ■of the vega, where he and his soldiery, by 
their licentious and oppressive conduct, soon roused the 
indignation of the natives. 

9. Don Diego Columbus, with the concurrence of the 
council, wrote to Margarite, Reprehending his conduct, 
and ordering him to depart on liis tour. Margarite re- 
plied in an arrogant tone, pretending to consider himself 
above all responsibility to Don Diego, or his council. 
He was supported in his tone of defiance by a kind of 
aristocratical party composed of the idle cavaliers of the 
oolony, who affected to consider Columbus and his bro- 
thers mere mercenary and upstart foreigners. 

10. In addition to these partisans, Margarite had a 
powerfiil ally in Friar Boyle, an ii.triguing man, who had 
conceived a violent hostility against the admiral, and had 
become disgusted with his mission to the wilderness. A 
cabal was soon formed. Maigarite and Friar Boyle 
acted as if possessed of paramount authority ; and, taking 
possession of certain ships in the harbour, set sail for 
Spain, with their adherentn.. 

11. The army being led without a head, the soldiers 



100 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

roved about in bands, or singly, according to their caprice, 
indulging in all kinds of excess. At length the Indians 
were roused to resentment, and, from confiding and hos- 
pitable hosts, were converted into vindictive enemies. 

12. They slew the Spaniards wlierever they could 
surprise them ; and Guatiguana, cacique of a large town 
on the Grand River, put to death ton soldiers who were 
quartered in his town, set fire to a house in which forty 
sick Spaniards were lodged, and even held a small for- 
tress called Magdalena, recently built in the vega, in a 
state of siege. 

13. The most formidable enemy of the Spaniards was 
Caonabo, the Carib cacique of the mountains. Enraged 
at seeing the fortress of St. Thomas erected in the very 
centre of his dominions ; and finding by his spies that 
the garrison was reduced to but fifty men, and the army 
of Margarite dismembered, he tliought to strike a signal 
blow, and to repeat the horrors which he had wreaked 
upon La Navidad. 

14. The wily cacique, however, had an able enemy to 
deal witii in Alonzo de Ojeda. In addition to what has 
already been said of this daring cavalier, it is worthy of 
note, that he had been schooled in Moorish warfare, and 
was versed in ail kinds ^f military stratagems. His 
courage was heightened by superstition. Having never 
received a wound in his numerous quarrels and encoun- 
ters, he consid'red himself under the special protection 
of the holy Virgin, and that no weapon had power to 
harm him. 

15. He had a small painting of the Virgin, which he 
carried constantly in his knapsack, and would often take 
it out, fix it against a tree, and address his prayers to his 
military patroness. In a word, he swore by the Virgin ; 
he invoked the Virgin either in brawl or battle ; and 
under favour of the Virgin he was ready for any enter- 
prise or adventure. Such was Alonzo de Ojeda, bigoted 
in devotion, reckless in life, fearless in spirit, like many 
of the roving Spanish cavaliers of those days, 

16. Having assembled ten thousand warriors, Caonabo 
led them secretly through the forest, thinking to surprise 
Ojeda ; but he found him warily drawn up within his 



OP COLUMBUS. 101 

fortress, which was built upon a hill, and nearly surround- 
ed by a river. 

17. He then held the fortress in siege for thirty days, 
and reduced it to great distress. He lost many of his 
bravest warriors, however, by the impetuous sallies of 
Ojeda ; others grew weary of the siege, and returned 
home. He at length relinquislied the attempt, and re- 
tired, filled with admiration of the prowess of Ojeda. He 
now urged the principal caciques to unite their forces, 
surprise the settlement of Isabella, and massacre the 
Spaniards wherever they could be found. To explain 
this combination, it is necessary to state the internal dis- 
tribution of the island. 

18. It was divided into five domains, each governed 
by a sovereign cacique, having many inferior caciques 
tributary to liim. The most important domain comprised 
the middle part of the royal vega, and was governed by 
Guarionex. Tha second was Marion, under the sway 
of Guacanagari, on whose coast Columbus had been 
wrecked. 

19. The third was Maguana, which included the gold 
mines of Cibao, and was under tlie sway of Caonabo. 
The fourth was Xaragua, at the western end of the 
island, the most populous and extensive of all. The 
sovereign was named Beliechio. The fifth domain was 
Higuey, and occupied the whole eastern part of the 
island, but had not as yet been visited by the Spaniards. 
The name of the cacique was Cotabanama. 

20. Three ofthose sovereign caciques readily entered 
into the league with Caonabo ; but he met with unex- 
pected opposition from tlie fifth cacique, Guacanagari. 
He not merely refused to join the conspiracy, but enter- 
tained a hundred Spaniards in his territory, supply mg 
all their wants with his accustomed generosity. His 
refusal prevented the conspiracy from being carried into 
immediate effect ; but it drew upon him the hatred and 
hostility of his fellow caciques.. 

21. Such was tlie critical state to which the affairs of 
the island had been reduced, during the absence of Co. 
lumbus. Immediately on his return, Guacanagari visited 
hira, and revealed tlie designs of the confederate caciques, 

^ 9* 



102 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

offering to lead his subjects to the field, and to fight by 
the side of the Spaniards. Columbus was rejoiced to 
have all suspicion of his good faith thus effectually dis- 
pelled. Their former amicable intercourse was renewed, 
and the chieftain ever continued to e\ ince an affectionate 
reverence for the admiral. 

22. Columbus trusted that the plans of the caciques 
might easily be disconcerted. He immediately sent a 
small force, who drove Guatiguana from before Fort 
Magdalena, ravaged his country, and slew many of his 
warriors, but the chieftain made his escape. 

23. As he was tributary to Guarionex, the sovereign 
of the royal vega, care was taken to explain to that pow 
erful cacique, that this was an act of individual punish- 
ment, not of general hostility. Guarionex was easily 
soothed and won to friendship ; and Columbus prevailed 
upon him to give his daughter in marriage to the Indian 
who had been baptized in Sgain by the name of Diego 
Colon, and who was devoted to the Spaniards. He gain- 
ed permission from him also to erect a fortress in the 
midst of his territories, which he named Fort Con- 
ception. 

24. The most formidable enemy remained to be dis- 
posed of, which was Caonabo ; to make war upon this 
fierce and subtle chieflain in his wild woodland territory, 
and among the fastnesses of his mountains, would be a 
work of time and peril. Yet the settlements would never 
be safe from his daring enterprises, nor could the mines 
be worked with security, as they lay in his neighbour- 
hood. While perplexed on this subject, Columbus was 
reUeved by a proposition of Alonzo de Ojeda, who un- 
dertook to bring the Carib chieftain either a friend or 
captive to the settlement. 

25. Choosing ten bold and haray followers, well arm- 
ed and well mounted, Ojeda plunged into the forest, and 
making his way above sixty leagues into the wild terri- 
tories of Caonabo, appeared fearlessly before the cacique 
in one of his most populous towns, professing to come on 
on amicable embassy from the admiral. He was well 
received by Caonabo, who had tried him in battle, and 
had conceived a warrior's admiration of hira. 



OP COLUMBUS. 1(© 

26. His dauntless deportment, great personal strength 
and agility, and surprising adroitness in all manly and 
warlike exercises, were calculated to charm a savage, 
and soon made him a favourite with Caonabo. He used 
all his mlluence to prevail upon the cacique to repair to 
Isabella, and enter into a treaty with Columbus, olfering 
liin], as an inducement, the bell of the chapel at the har- 
bour. 

27. This bell was the wonder of the island. When its 
melody sounded through the forests, the Indians noticed 
that the Spaniards hastened from all parts to the chapel. 
At other times, when it gave the vesper peal, they be- 
held the Spaniards pause in the midst of their labours or 
amusements, and, taking off their hats, repeat a prayer 
with great devotion. 

28. They imagined, therefore, that this bell had some 
mysterious power ; that it had come from « Turey," or 
the skies, and was the zemi of the white men ; that it 
talked to them, and they obeyed its orders. Caonabo 
longed to see this bell, and when it was proffered to him 
as a present of peace, he found it impossible to resist the 
temptation. 

29. He agreed to visit the admiral at the harbour ; but 
when the time came to depart, Ojeda beheld with sur- 
prise a powerful army ready to march. He remonstrated 
on taking such a force on a mere friendly visit ; to which 
the cacique proudly replied, " that it was not befitting a 
ereat prince like him to go forth scantily guarded." Oje- 
da feared some sinister design, and resolved to outwit 
the cacique. 

30. As the army had halted one day near a river, he 
produced a set of manacles of polished steel, which he 
pretended were ornaments worn by the Castilian mon- 
archs on high festivities. He proposed that Caonabo 
should be decorated with them, mounted on the horse ot 
Ojeda, and conducted back in state to astonish his 
aubjects. 

HI. The cacique was dazzled with the splendour of the 
shackles, and pleased with the idea of bestriding one of 
those tremendous animals so dreaded by his countrymen. 
After bathing in the river, he mounted behind Ojeda, and 



104 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

the shackles were adjusted. The Spaniards then prai 
ced among the astonished savages, and made a wic 
sweep into the forest, until the trees concealed them fro 
eight. Then drawing their swords, and closing roui 
Caonabo, they threatened him with instant death, if 1 
made the least noise or resistance. 

32. Having bound him with cords to Ojeda, to preve 
his failing or effecting an escape, they put spurs to the 
horses, dashed across the river, and made off through t! 
woods with their prize. After a long, rugged, and p€ 
ilous journey, they entered Isabella in triumph; Oje< 
bringing the wild Indian chieftain bound beh.nd him. 

33. The haughty Carib met Columbus with a lof 
and unsubdued air, nor could he ever be brought to she 
him any submission. If the admiral entered his priso 
thoutrh every one else rose to salute him, the caciqi 
remained seated. On the contrary, if Ojeda entere 
though small in stature and destitute of state, he ro. 
and paid liim the greatest reverence. 

34. Being asked the reason of this, seeing that Colur 
bus was the commander and Ojeda but an inferior, 1 
replied scornfully, that Columbus had not dared to me 
him in the field, but had employed Ojeda. The latte 
therefore, was the warrior, and had made him prisons: 
to him alone Vv-oiild he pay homage. 

35. He never showed the least annnosity against Oje( 
for the artifice he had used. On the contrary, he look( 
upon it as the exploit of a master spirit, to ])ounce up( 
him and bear him off in this hawk like manner from tl 
midst of his warriors ; for there is nothing an Indian mo 
admires in warfare, than a deep laid and well execut 
itratagem. 

36. Columbus, though struck with the natural herois 
of this savao3, considered him too dangerous an enen 
to be left at large. He mi^intained him, tlierefui-e, 
close prisoner in a part of his own dwelling, until Y 
could be sliipp'^d to Spain, but treated liim with gret 
kindness and respect. 



or COLUMBtJS. 106 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Bank of the Vega. Imposition of Tribute. [1491.] 

1. The colony about this time v/as greatly relieved by 
the arrival of four ships commanded by Antonio Torres, 
brino^ing out medical aid and provisions, with various 
artisans and husbandmen. By the same arrival Colum- 
bus received letters from the sovereigns, approving of all 
that he had done. They informed him, that their diffe- 
refnces with Portugal had been amicably adjusted, and 
invited him to return to Spain, or to send some able per- 
eon in hie place, to attend a convention for settling the 
dividing line of discovery between the two powers. 

2. Columbus hastened the return of the ships, and 
Bent his brother Diego to attend the convention. He re- 
mitted, at the same time, all the gold he could collect, 
with specimens of fruits and valuable plants. He also 
sent five hundred Indian captives, to be sold as slaves in 
Seville. 

8. It is painful to find the glory of Columbus sullied 
by such violations of the laws of humanity, but the cus- 
toms of the times must plead his apology. In the recent 
discoveries along the coast of Africa, tlie trafiick in slaves 
had formed one of the greatest sources of profit ; and in 
the wars with the enlightened and highly civilized Moors 
of Granada, the Spaniards were accustomed to make 
slaves of tiieir prisoners. 

4. Tidings Vv'ere now brought to the harbour that the 
allied caciques, headed by Manicaotex, the brother of 
Caonabo, Irad assembled their forces in the vega, to make 
a grand assault upon the settlement. Columbus had 
now recovered his health, and determined to take the 
field. All the efficient force he could muster, was two 
hundred and twenty men ; but of those twenty were 
horsemen. 

5. There were twenty bloodhounds, also, animals 
scarcely less terrible to the Inchans than horses, and in- 
finitely more destructive. With this force he .sallied 
r)rth from Isabella, accompanied by his brother, the Ade- 



106 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

lantado. Guacanag-ari, also, joined him with his people ; 
but both he and his subjects were of an unwarlike 
character. 

6. They found the enemy assembled in g-reat force in 
the vega, within two days march of Isabella. The 
number is said to have amounted to one hundred thou- 
sand, but this is probably an exaggeration. They were 
armed as usual, with clubs, stones, bows and arrows, and 
lances. 

7. The Adelantado arranged the mode of attack. 
The infantry, divided into small detachments, advanced 
suddenly from various quarters, with great din of drums 
and trumpets, and a destructive discharge of fire-arms. 
The Indians were struck with panic. An army seemed 
pressing upon them from every direction. 

8. In the height of their confusion, Alonzo de Ojeda 
charged with his cavalry, bearing down and trampling 
them under* foot, and dealing deadly blows with lance 
and sword. The bloodhounds, too, were let loose, and 
rushed upon the naked savages, seizing them by the 
throat, dragging them to the earth, and teanng out their 
bowels. 

9. The battle, if such it might be called, was of short 
duration. The Indians fled in every direction, with yells 
and bowlings. Some clambered to the tops of rocks and 
precipices, from whence they made piteous supplications 
and promises of submission. Many were slain, many 
made prisoners, and the confederacy was, for the time, 
completely broken up. 

10. Guacanagari was little more than a spectator of 
the battle. His participation in the hostilities of the 
white men, liowever, was never forgiven by the other 
caciques ; and he returned to his dominions, hated and 
execrated by his countrymen. 

11. Columbus followed up his victory by marching 
through various parts of the island, and reducing them to 
subjection. He tlien exercised what he considered the 
right of a conqueror, and imposed tributes on the van- 
quished provinces. In those which possessed mines, 
each individual, above the age of tburteen years, was 
obliged to render, every three months, the measure of a 



OF COLUMBUS. 107 

Hemish hawk's bell of g-old dust * The caciques had 
to pay a much larger amount for their personal tribute. 

12. In other provinces, each individual was oblig-ed to 
furnish twenty-five pounds of cotton every three months. 
A copper medal, suspended about the neck, was a proof 
that an Indian had paid his tribute ; any one found with- 
out such certificate was liable to arrest and punishment. 
Various fortresses were erected in the most important 
places, so as to keep the Indians in complete subjection. 
In this way the yoke of servitude was cpmpletely fixed 
upon the island. 

13. Deep despair now fell upon the natives. Weak 
and indolent by nature, and brought up in the untasked 
idleness of their soft climate and their fruitful groves, 
death itself seemed preferable to a life of toil and anxiety. 
They saw no end to this harassing evil, which had so sud- 
denly fallen upon them ; no prospect of return to that 
roving independence and ample leisure, so dear to the 
wild inhabitant of the forest. 

14. The pleasant life of the island was at an end ; — ■ 
the dream in the shade by day ; the slumber, during the 
sultry noon-tide heat, by the fountain or the stream, or 
under the spreading palm tree ; and the song, the dance, 
and the game in the mellow evening, when summoned to 
their simple amusements by the rude Indian drum. 

15. Or, if they occasionally indulged in a national 
dance, atler a day of painful toil, the ballads to which they 
kept time were of a melancholy and plaintive character. 
They spoke of the times that were past, before the white 
men had introduced sorrow, and slavery, and weary 
labour among them. 

16. Sometimes they rehearsed pretended, prophecies 
of days of old, foretelling that strangers should come into 
their island, with swords capable of cleaving a man 
asrjnder at a blow, under whose yoke their race should 
be suddued and pass away. These ballads, or areytos» 
they sung v^uth mournful tunes and doleful voices, bewail- 
ing the loss of their liberty and their painful servitude. 

17. They had flattered themselves, for a time, that the 
visit of the strangers would be but temporary, and tl^t, 

• Equal in value to fifteen dollars of the present time. 



108 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

Spreading their ample sails, their ships would soon waft 
them back to their home in the sky. In their simplicity 
they had repeatedly inquired of the Spaniards when they 
mtended to return to Turey, or the heavens. 

18. All such hope was now at an end ; and, finding 
how vain was every attempt to deliver themselves from 
their invaders by warlike means, they now endeavoured 
to produce a famine. For this purpose, they destroyed 
their fields of maize, stripped the trees of their fruit, pull- 
ed up the yuca and other nutritious roots, and then 
fled to the mountains. 

19. The Spaniards were indeed reduced to much dis- 
tress, but were partially relieved by supplies from Spain. 
They pursued the natives to their mountain retreats, and 
hunted them from one fastness to another, until thou- 
sands perished in dens and caverns of famine and sick- 
ness, and the survivors submitted humbly to the yoke. 
So deep an awe did they conceive of their conquerors, 
that it is said a Spaniard might go singly and securely 
all over the island, and the natives would even trans- 
port him from place to place on their shoulders. 

20. Before passing on to other events, it may be pro- 
per here to notice the fate of Guacanagari, as he makes 
no furtiier appearance in the course of this history. His 
friendship for the Spaniards severed him from his coun- 
trymen, but it did not exempt him from the general 
woes of the island. At a time when Columbus was ab 
sent, the Spaniards exacted a tribute from him, which 
his people found it diificuh and distressing to pay. 

21. Unable to bear the murmurs of his subjects, the 
hostilities of his fellow caciques, the extortion^ of 
his ungrat^ul allies, and the sight of the various 
miseries which he felt as if he had invoked upon his 
race, he retired to the mountains, where it is said he 
died obscurely and in misery. 

22. An attempt has been made oy a Spanish historian 
to defame the character of this Indian prince ; but it is 
not for Spaniards to excuse their own ingratitude by 
casting a stigma upon his name. He appears to have 
always manifested towards them that true friendship 
which .««bines orighiest in the dark days of adversity. 



OP COLUMBUS. 109 

23. He might have acted a nobler part, in making a 
stand, with his brother caciques, to drive those intruders 
from his native soil ; but he appears to have been blind- 
ed by his admiration of them, and his personal attachment 
to Columbus. He was bountiful, hospitable, affectionate 
and kind-hearted ; competent to rule a gentle and u* 
warlike people in the happier days of the island, but un- 
fitted, through the milflness of his nature, for the steru 
turmoil which followed the arrival of the white men. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

Arrival of the Commissioner Aguado. Discovery of the 
Gold Mines of Hayna. [1495.] 

1. While Columbus w-as endeavouring to remedy the 
evils produced by the misconduct of Margarite and hia 
followers, that recreant commander, and Friar Boyle, 
were busily undermining his reputation in the court of 
Spain. They accused him of deceiving the sovereigns 
and the public by extravagant descriptions of the coun- 
tries he had discovered ; of tyranny and oppression to- 
wards the colonists, and indignities towards Spanish 
gentlemen of rank. t 

2. These representations, being supported by many 
factious idlers who had returned from the colony, and 
enforced by people of rank connected with the cavaliers, 
had a baneful effect upon the popularity of Columbus, 
and his favour with the sovereigns. 

3. Tlio arrival of the ships commanded by Torres, 
cringing accounts of the voyage along the southern 
coasts of Cuba, and specimens of the gold, and the vege- 
table and animal productions of the country, weakened 
in some degree these unfavourable impressions. Still it 
was determined to send out a commissioner to inquire 
into the alleged distresses of the colony, and the conduct 
of Columbus. 

4. One Juan Aguado was appointed for the purpose. 
He kid already been to Hispaniola, and, on returning 

10 



110 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

had been strong^ly recommended to ro}^,! favour by Colum- 
bus. In appointing a person, thereforf, for whom the 
admiral appeared to have a regard, and who was under 
obligations to him, the sovereigns tl>' Right, perhaps, to 
soften the harshness of the measure, 

5. As to the five hundred slaves s^nt home in the ships 
of Torres, Isabella ordered a consnltation of the clergy 
to determine whether, having bfen talcen in warfare, 
their sale as slaves would be juptifiable in the sight of 
God. Much difference of opin on arose among the 
divines on this important question . whereupon the queen 
decided it according to the dictates of her conscience 
and her heart, and ordered that the Indians should be 
taken back to their native country. 

6. Juan de Aguado set sail from Spain towards the 
end of August with four caravels freighted with supplies, 
and Don Diego Columbus returned in this squadron to 
Hispaniola. Aguado was one of those weak men whose 
heads are turned by the least elevation. At the time of 
his arrival, the admiral was absent in the interior of the 
island, and the Adelantado commanded in his place. 

7. Aguado treated the latter with great insolence and 
contempt, refusing to show him the commission under 
which he acted, and conducting himself as if tJie govern- 
ment had been transferred into his hands. Proclaiming 
his letter of cr^ence by sound of trumpet, he arrested 
various public officers, and invited every one to come for- 
ward boldly and state his wrongs and grievances. 

8. He even intimated that the admiral was keeping at 
a distance through consciousness of guilt, and threaten- 
ed to set off at the head of a body of horse to arrest him. 
The whole community was in confusion : the downfall 
of the family of Columbus was predicted : some thought? 
the admiral would lose his head. 

9. The news of the arrival, and of the insolent con- 
duct of Aguado, reached Columbus in the interior of the 
island, and he immediately hastened to Isabella to give 
him a meeting. As every one knew the lofry spirit of 
the admiral, and his jealous maintenance of official dig- 
nity, a violent explosion was anticipated at the interview. 

10. The natural heat and impetuosity of Columbus, 



OF COLUMBUS. Ill 

however, had been subdued by a life of trials, and he had 
learnt to bring his passions into subjection to his judg- 
ment ; he had too true an estimate of his own dignity to 
enter into a contest with a shallow boaster like Aguado : 
above all, ho had a profound reverence for the authority 
of his sovereigns. 

11. He received Aguado, therefore, with the most 
grave and punctilious courtesy, ordered his letter of cre- 
dence to be again proclaimed by soimd of trumpet, and 
assured him of his readiness to acquiesce in whatever 
might be the pleasure of his sovereigns. 

12. The moderation of Columbus was regarded by 
many, and by Aguado himself, as a proof of his loss of 
moral courage. Every dastard spirit who had any lurk- 
ing ill will, now hastened to give it utterance ; every one 
who had by negligence or crime incurred the wholesome 
penalties of the laws, was loud in his clamours of oppres- 
sion ; and all the ills of the colony, however produced, 
were ascribed to the mal-administration of the admiral. 

13. Aguado listened to every accusation with ready 
credulity, and having collected information sufficient, as 
he thought, to ensure the ruin of the admiral and his bro- 
thers, prepared to return to Spain. Columbus resolved 
to do the same ; for he felt that it was time to appear at 
court, and vindicate hia conduct from the misrepresenta- 
tions of his enemies. 

14. When the ships were ready to depart, the island 
was swept by one of those awful whirlwmds which occa- 
sionally rage within the tropics, and which were called 
hurricanes by the Indians, a name which they still retain. 
Three of the ships at anchor m the harbour were sunk, 
with all who were on board ; others were dashed agamst 
each other, and driven mere wrecks upon the shore. 

15. The Indians were overwhelmed with dismay, for 
never in their memory, or in the traditions of their ances- 
tors, had there been known so tremendous a storm. They 
believed that the Deity had sent it in punishment of the 
cruelties and crimes of the white men, and declared that 
this people moved the very air» the water, and the earth, 
to disturb their tranquil life, and to desolate their island. 

16. The departure of Columbus, and of Aguado, was 



112 LIFE AND VOYAOE8 

delayed until one of the shattered vessels could be re 
paired, and another constructed out of the fragments of 
the wrecks. In the mean time, an important event oc- 
curred. 

17. A young Arragonian, named Miguel Diaz, in the 
service of the Adelantado, having wounded a cormanioii 
in a quarrel, *fled from the settlement accompanied by 
live or six comrades. Wandering about the island, they 
came to an Indian village, on the banks of the Ozema, 
where Mie city of San Domingo is at preaent situated. 

18. The village was governed by a female cacique, 
who conceived a strong affection for the young Arrago- 
nian, and they lived for some time veiy happily together. 
At length the remembrance of his country and his friends 
began to liaunt tlie mind of the Spaniard ; he longed to 
return to the settlement, but dreaded the austere justice 
of the Adelantado. 

19. His Indian bride observing him frequently lost in 
gloomy thought, drew from him the cause of his melan- 
choly. Fearful that he would abandon her, and Ivnowing 
the influence of gold over the white men, slie informed 
him of certain rich mines in the neighbourhood, and urged 
him to persuade his countrymen to remove to the fertile 
banks of the Ozema, promising that they should be hospi- 
tably received by her nation. 

20. Diaz hastened with this intelligence to the settle- 
ment, flattering himself that it would make his peace 
with his commanders. He was not mistaken. No tidings 
could have come more opportunely, for if true, they would 
furnish the admiral with the best means of re-establishing' 
himself in the favour of his sovereigns. 

21. The Adelantado was immediately despatched with 
Diaz and his Indian guides, to ascertain the truth. He 
soon returned with rich specimens of gold, which he had 
found in great quantities on the banks of a river called 
the Hayna; and he told of excavations v/here it appear- 
ed as if mines had been worked in ancient timps. 

22. Columbus was overjoyed at the sight of the speci- 
mens, and surprised to hear of the excavations, as the 
Indians possessed no knowledge of mining, and merely 
picked up the gold from the surface of the soil, or the 



OF COLUMBUS. 113 

beds of the rivers. The circumstance gave rise to one 
of his usual veins of visionary speculation. 

23. He had already surmised that Hispaniola might 
be the ancient Ophir ; he now fancied he had discovered 
the identical mines from whence King Solomon had pro- 
cured his great supplies of gold for the building of the 
temple of Jerusalem. He gave orders that a fortress 
should be immediately erected in the vicinity of the 
mines, and that they should be diligently worked ; and 
he now looked forward with confidence to his return to 
Spain, the bearer of such golden tidings. 

24. It may not be uninteresting to mention, that Mi- 
guel Diaz remained ftiithful to his Indian bride, who was 
baptized by the name of Catalina. They were regularly 
married, and had two children. 

• 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Return of Columbus to Spain. Preparations for a third 
Voyage. [1496.] 

1. The new caravel being finished, and the shattered 
one repaired, Columbus embarked in one, and Aguado 
in the other. Don Bartholomew remained in command 
of the island, witli the title of Adelantado. The vessels 
were crowded with two hundred and twenty-five passen- 
gers, the sick, the idle, the profligate and factious of the 
colony. Never did a more miserable and disappointed 
crew return from a land of promise. 

2. There were thirty Indians also on board, and among 
them the once redoubtable Caonabo, together with one 
of his brothers, and a nephew. The admiral had pro- 
mised to restore Ji^era to their country and their power, 
after having pr^pited them fo the sovereigns ; ti'L^sting 
by kind treatment, and a d]sp]ay of the wonders of Spain, 
to conquer their hostility, and convert them into impor- 
tant instruments for the quiet subjugation of the island. 

3. Being as yet but little experienced in the naviga- 
tion of these seas, Columbus, mstead of working up to 

10* 



114 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

the northward, so as to fall in with the track of westerly 
winds, took an easterly course on leaving the island. 
His voyage, in consequence, became a toilsome and te- 
dious struggle against the trade winds and calms which 
prevail between the tropics. Though he sailed on the ' 
10th of March, yet on the 6th of AprO he was still in the 
vicinity of the Caribbee islands, and iiad to touch at 
Gaudaloupe to procure provisions. 

4. Here skirmishes occurred with the fierce natives, 
both male and female ; for the women were perfect 
amazons, of large and powerful frame and great agility. 
Several of the latter were taken prisoners. Among them 
was the wife of a caci^jue, a woman of a proud and reso- 
lute spirit. 

5. On the approach of the Spaniards she fled with an 
agility thfii soon distanced all pursuers, excepting a na- 
tive of the Canary islands', noted for swiftness of footi,« 
She would have escaped even from him, but perceiving 
that he was alone, and far from his companions, she audi 
denly turned upon him, seized him by the throat, and 
would have strangled him, had not the Spaniards arrived 
and taken her, entangled like a hawk with her prey. 

6. When Columbus departed from the island, he dis- 
missed all the prisoners with presents. The female 
cacique alone reftised to go on shore. She had conceived 
a passion for Caonabo, having found out that he was a 
Carib, and she had been won by the story, gathered from 
the othef Indians, of his great valour and his misfortunes. 
In the course of the voyage, however, the unfortunate 
Caonabo expired. 

7. The fate of this savage chieflain affords; in a nar- 
row scale, a picture of the fallacy of human greatness. 
When the Spaniards first arrived on the coast of Hayti^ 
their imaginations were infilamed by rumours, representing 
him as a magnificent prince among ^e mountains) the 
lord of the golden house, the sovereifH of the mines of 
Cibao ; but a short time had elapsed, and he was a naked 
and moody prisoner on the deck of one of their caravels, 
with none but one of his own wild native heroines to 
sympathize in his misfortunes. 

8. All his importance vanished with his freedom ; 



OF COLUMBUS. 115 

scarce any mention is made of him during his captivity ; 
and with innate qualities of a high and heroic nature, he 
perished with the obscurity of one of the vulgar. He 
maintained, however, his haughty nature to the last, fof 
his death is principally ascribed to the morbid melancholy 
of a proud and broken spirit. 

9. Columbus left Guadaloupe on the 20th of April, 
still working his way against the whole current of the 
trade winds." By the 20th of May, every one was put on 
an allowance of six ounces of bread, and a pint and a half 
of water. By the beginning of June there was an ab- 
solute famine on board, and some proposed that they 
should kill and eat their Indian prisoners, or throw them 
into the sea as so many useless mouths. Nothing but 
the absolute authority of Columbus prevented this la<rt 
counsel from being adopted. 

10. On the 11th of June the vessels anchftred in the 
bay of Cadiz. The populace crowded to witness the 
landing of the gay and bold adventurers, who had sailed 
from this very port animated by the most sanguine 
expectations. 

11. Instead, hbwever, of a joyous creWj bounding on 
ehore, flushed with success, and rich with the spoils of 
the golden Indies, a feeble train of wretched men crawled 
forth ; who carried in their yellow countenances', says art 
old writer, a mockery of that gold which had been the 
object of their search ; and who had nothing to relate of 
the new world but tales of sickness, poverty, and dis- 
appointment. 

12. The appearance of C<ilumbus himself was a kind 
bf comment on his fortunes. Either considering himself 
in disgrace with the sovereigns, or having made some 
penitential vow, he vtslb clad in the habit of a Francis- 
can monk, girded with a cord, and he had suffered hi^ 
beard to grow like the friars of that order. 

13. But however humble he might be in his own per- 
sonal appearance, he endeavoured to keep alive the pub- 
lic interest in his discoveries. On his way to Burgos to 
to meet the sovereigns^ he made a studious display of the 
coronets, collars, bracelets, and other ornaments of gold, 
which he had brought from the new world. He carried 



116 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

with Mm, also, several Indians, decorated with g-litterin^ 
ornaments, and amon^ them the brother of Caonabo, or 
whom he put a massive collar and chain of gold, ai 
cacique of the golden country of Cibao. 

14. The reception of Columbus by the sovereigns waf 
different from what he had anticipated, for he was treatec 
with distinguished favour ; nor was any mention made 
either of the complaints of Margarite and Boyle, or the 
judicial inquiries conducted by Aguado. The sovereigns 
were too conscious of his great deserts, and of the ex- 
traordinary difficulties of his situation, not to tolerate 
what they may have considered errors on his part. 

15. Encouraged by the interest with which tliey listen- 
ed to his accoun*^, of his recent voyages, Columbus now 
proposed a further enterprise, by which he promised to 
make yet jnore extensive discoveries. All he asked was 
eight ships, two to be despatched to Hispaniola with 
supplies, the remaining six to be put under his command 
for the voyage. 

16. The sovereigns readily promised to comply witli 
his request ; but the resources of Spain at this moment 
were tasked to the utmost by widely extended operations, 
both of war and amity, which drained the treasury and 
engrossed the thoughts of the sovereigns. 

17. It was not until the spring of 1497 that Isabella 
could find leisure to enter fully into tlio concerns of the 
new world. She then took them up with a spirit that 
showed she was determined to place them upon a sub- 
etantial foundation. 

18. As the expenses of the •expeditions had hitherto 
exceeded the returns, Columbus was relieved of his eighth 
part of the cost of the past enterprises, and allowed an 
eighth of the gross proceeds for the next three years, and 
a tenth of the net profits. 

19. He was allowed also to establish a mayorazgo in 
his family, that is to say, a hereditary estate, devolving 
to the eldest son. In availing himself of this privilege, 
he enjoined it upon his hereditary successors never to 
use any other title in signature than simply " The 
Admiral." 

20. The titles and prerogatives of Adelantado were 



OF COLUMBUS. 117 

)ikewise conferred upon Don Bartholemew, though the 
king had at first been displeased with Columbus for in- 
vesting his brother with, dignities which were only in the 
gift of the sovereign. 

21. The precise number of persons was fixed who 
were to be sent to Hispaniola, among whom were seve- 
ral females ; regulations were made for their payment 
and support, and for the distribution of lands among 
them. The greatest care was enjoined, likewise, by Isa- 
bella, in the religious instruction of the natives, and the 
utmost lenity in collecting the tributes imposscd upon 
them. With respect to the government of the colony, 
also, it was generally recommended that there should be 
a disposition to indulgent and easy rule. 

22. When every intention was thus shown on th% 
part of the crovvni to despatch the expedition, unexpected 
difficulties arose on the part of the public. The cliarm 
was dispelled, which had once made every adventurer 
crowd into the service of Columbus ; the new world, in- 
stead of a region of wealth and enjoyment, was now con- 
sidered a land of poverty and disaster. 

23. To supply the want of voluntary recruits, there- 
fore, Columbus proposed to transport to Hispaniola, for a 
limited term of years, all criminals condemned to bani&h- 
ment or the galleys, excepting such as had committed 
crimes of an atrocious nature ; — a pernicious measure, 
which proved a fruitful source of misery and disaster to 
the colony. 

24. Notwithstanding all these expedients, it was not 
until the beginnin;; of 1498 that the two ships were de- 
spatclied to Hispaniola, under the command of Pedro 
Fernandez Coronal. A still furtlier delay occurred in 
fitting out the six ships that were to bear Columbus on 
his voyao-e of discovery. 

25. His cold-blooded enemy Fonseca, who was now 
bishop of Badajoz, liaving the superintendence of Indian 
affairs, was enabled to impede and retard all his plans. 
The various officers and agents employed in the concerns 
of the armament, were most of them dependents and 
minions of the bishop, and sought to gi*cttify him, by 
throwing all kinds of difficulties in the wav of Columbus. 



118 LIFE AND VOYAGES I 

26. The insolence of these worthless men harassed 
him to the last moment of his sojourn in Spain, and fol- 
lowed him to the water's edge. The most noisy and 
presuming was one Ximeno de Breviesca, treasurer of 
Fonseca, a converted Jew or Moor, and a man of impu- 
dent front and unbridled tongue. 

27. As Columbus was on the point of embarking, he was 
assailed by the insolence of this Ximeno, Forgetting, 
in the hurry and indignation of the moment, his usual 
gelf-command, he struck the despicable minion to the 
earth, and spurned him with liis foot, venting in this un- 
guarded paroxysm the accumulated griefs and vexations 
whick had long rankled in his heart. 

28. This transport of passion, so unusual in his well- 
governed temper, was artfully adduced by Fonseca, and 
Others of his enemies, as a flagrant instance of vindictive 
temper, and a corroboration of the charges of cruelty and 
oppression sent home from the colony. 

29. Columbus himself foresaw the invidious use that 
^ould be made of it. It would be difficult to make, with 
equal brevity, a more direct and aifecting appeal than 
that contained in one of his letters, wherein he alludes to 
this affair. He entreats the sovereigns not to let it be 
wrested to his injury in their opinion ; but to remember, 
when any thing should be said to his disparagement, that 
\ie was « absent, envied, and a stranger." 

-.-^®©«— 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Discovery of Trinidad'and the Coast of Paria. Arrival 
at San Domingo. [1498.] 

1. On the 30th of May, Columbus set sail from the 
port of San Lucar de Barrameda, with a squadron of six 
vessels, on his third voyage of discovery. From various 
considerations, he was induced to take a different route 
from that pursued in his former expeditions. He had 
been assured by persons who had traded to the east, 
that the rarest objects of commerce, such as gold, pi-*- 



OF COLUMBUS. 119 

cious stones, drugs, and spices, were chiefly to be found 
in the regions about tlie equator, where the inhabitants 
were black, or darkly coloured ; and tliat, until he arrived 
amojig- people of such complexions, it was not probable 
he wouid find those Jirticles in grrat abundance. 

2. Columbus recollected tliat the natives of Hispaniola 
had spoken of black men wliO l;ad once come to theit 
island from the south, the heads of whose javelins were 
of g-uanin, or adidt?iatod gold. Tlie natives of the Ca- 
ribbse islands, also, iiad intbrmcd him that a great tract 
of the main Ictnd lay to the sor.th ; and in his preceding 
voyage he had remarked that Cuba, which hesupposed to 
be the continent of Ada, swept olF in that direction. 

3. He proposed, therefore, to take his departure from 
the Cape de Verde islands, sailing to the south-west until 
he should come under the equinoctial line, then to steer 
directly westward, with the favour of the trade winds. 

4. Having touched at the islands of Porro Santo and 
Madeira, to take in wood and water, he continued his 
course to the Canary islands, from whence he despatched 
three of his ships direct for Hispaniola, with supplies for 
the colony. Witli the remaining three he prosecuted 
his voyage tovrards the Cape de Verde islands. The 
ship in which iie sailed was decked, the other two wer'a 
merchant car;tvels. 

5. On th.e 5tii of .Tu'y, he took his departure from tl/9 
Cape de Verde islands, and steered to the south-wesli 
until he arrived, according to his observations, in the fiftht 
degree of north iaticude. Here the wind suddenly fell, 
and a dead sultry calm succeeded. The air was like a 
furnace, the tar melted from the sides of the ships, the 
seams yawned, the salt meat became putrid, some of the 
wine and water casks burst, and the mariners lost all 
strength and spirits. 

6. For a part of the time, the heavens became over- 
cast, and there were drizzling showers, but the atmos* 
phere was close and stifling. A continuation of this 
weather, together witli the remonstrances of his crew, 
and his extreme suffering from the gout, ultimately in- 
duced Columl us to alter his ro.ite, and stand to the 
north-west, in hopes of fa.Jling in with the Caribbeo 



1^ 



LIPE AND VOYAGB 



islands, where he might repair his ships, and obtain wa- 
ter and provisions. 

7. After sailing some distance in tins direction, the 
ships all at once emerged into a gonial atmosphere ; a 
pleasant cooling breeze played over the sea, and gently- 
filled their sails ; the sky became serene and clear, and 
the sun shone forth with all its splendour, but no longer 
with a burning heat. 

8. On the 31st of July, when there was not above a 
cask of water remaining in each ship, a mariner, named 
Alonzo Perez, descried, from the mast-head, three moun- 
tains rising above the horizon : as the siiips drew nearer^ 
these mountains proved to be united at the base. Co- 
lumbus, therefore, from a religious association of ideas^ 
gave this island the name of La Trinidatl, (or the Trini* 
ty,) which it continues to bear at the present day. 

9. Shaping his course for this island, he coasted along 
the southern shore, and beheld land to the south, stretch- 
ing to the distance of more than twenty leagues. It was 
that low tract of coast intersected by the numerous 
branches of the Orinoco ; but the admiral, supposing it 
to be an island, gave it the name of La Isla Santa ; little 
imagining that he now, for the first time, beheld the main 
land which had been the object of his earnest search. 

10. For several days he coasted tlie island of Trinidad^ 
and explored the great gulf of Paria, which lies behind 
it, fancying himself among islands, and that he must find 
a passage to the open ocean, by keeping to the bottom 
of the gulf. During this time, he was nearly swept from 
his anchors and thrown on shore by a sudden rush and 
swell of the sea, near Point Arenal, caused, as is sup- 
posed, by the swelling of one of the rivers which flow 
into the gulf. He landed oti the inside of the long pro- 
montory of Paria, which he mistook for an island, and 
had various interviews with the natives, from whom he 
procured great quantities of pearls, many of a line size 
and quality. 

11. There were several phenomena that surprised and 
perplexed Columbus in the course of his voyage along 
this coast, and wliich gave rise to speculations, some in- 
genious and others fanciful. He was astoniahed at the 



OF COLUMBUS. 121 

vast body of fresh water continually flowing into the gulf 
of Paria, so as apparoiitly to sweeten the whole surround- 
ing sea, and at the constant current which set tlirough 
it, which he supfioscd to be produced by some great river. 

12. He reniariced, with wondering^ also the difference 
between the climate, vegetation, and people of these 
coasts^ and those of the same parallel in Africa. There 
the heat was insupportable, and tlie land parched and 
sterile ; the inhabitants were blacky with crisped wool^ 
ill shapen, and of dull and brutal natures, 

13. Here, on the contrary, although the sun was in 
Leo, he found the noon-tide heat moderate, the mornings 
and evenings fresh and cool, the country green and fruit- 
fulj covered with beautiful forests, and watered by iinm. 
merable streams and fountains ; the people fairer than 
even those in the lands he had discovered further north, 
with long hair, well proportioned and graceful forms, 
lively minds, and courageous spirits. 

14. In respect to the vast body of fresh water, he 
made one of his simple and great conclusions. Such a 
mighty stream could not be produced by an island ; it 
must be the outpouring of a continent. He now suppo- 
sed that the various tracts of land which he had beheld 
about the gulf were connected togetlier, and. continued 
to an immense distance to the south, far beyond th» 
equator, into that hemisphere hitherto unknown to civ- 
ilized man. 

15. As to the mild temperature of the climate, tho 
fresh verdure Of the coun..ry, and the comparative fair- 
ness of the inhabitants, in a parallel so near to the equa- 
tor, he attributed it to the superior elevation of this part 
of the globe ; for, from a variety of circumstances, inge- 
niously but erroneously reasoned upon, he inferred, tiiat 
philosophers had been mistaken in the form of the earth, 
which, instead of being a perfect sphere, he now con- 
cluded to be shaped like a pear, one part more elevated 
than the rest, rising into the purer regions of the airj above 
the heatS) and frosts, and storms of the lower parts of 
the earth. 

If). lie imagined this apex to be situated about the 
equinoctial line, in the interior of this vast continent, 
11 



122 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

which he considered the extremity of the east ; that on 
this summit, as it were, of the earth, was situated the 
terrestrial paradise ; and that the vast stream of fresh 
water, which jvoured into the gulf of Paria, i^ued from 
the fountain of the tree of life, in the midst of the garden 
of Eden. 

17. Extravao-ant as this speculation may seem at the 
present day, it -was grounded on the writings of the most 
sage and learned men of those times, among whom the 
situation of the terrestrial paradise had long been a sub- 
ject of discussion and controversy, aiid by several of 
whom it v/as supposed to bo on a vast mountain, in the 
remote parts of the east. 

18. Columbus woidd gladly have followed up his dis- 
ccver}^ not doubting but that the country would increase 
in the vaiao of its productions as he approached the equa- 
tor. The sea-stores of his ships, however, v;ere almost 
exhausted, and the various supplies with wliich they were 
freighted for the colony were in danger of spoiling. 

19. He was suffering also extremely in his health. 
Besides the gout, whicii had rendered h'm a cripple for 
the greater part of the voyage, ho Vvas altlicted by a com- 
plaint in his eyes, caused by fatigue and overwatching, 
which almost depTived him of sight. He detennhied, 
therefore, to hasten to Hi.spaniola, intending to repose 
theie from his fatigu'^s, and recruit his health, while he 
should send his brother, the Adelantado, to complete this 
hnportant discovery. 

20. On the 14th of August, rherefore, he left the gulf, 
by a narrow strait betvv^cen the promontory of Paria 
and the island of Trinidad. This strait is beset with 
small islands, where the current is so comp-'essed as to 
cause a turbulent sea, v;ith great foaming and roaring, as 
if rushing over rocks and shoals. The admiral conceiv- 
ed himself in imminent danger of shipwreck, when pass- 
ing through this strait, and gave it the name of La Boca 
del Drago, or the Mouth of the Dragon. 

21. After recoiinoitering the coast to the westward, 
and convincing himself of its bei)tg a continent, he bore 
away for Hispaniola, for the river Ozema, where he had 
instructed his brother to fornft a settlement in the neigh- 



OF COLUMBUS. 123 

bourhood of the mines. He arrived, haggard, emaciated, 
and ahnost bhnd, and was received with open arms by 
the Adelantado. 

-~»»i8»«— - 

CHAPTER XXX. 

Administralion of the Adelantado. 

1. Columbus liad anticipated a temporary repose from 
his toils on arrivino- at Hiyjmniola ; but a new scene ot 
trouble and anxiety opened upon him, which was destined 
to affect all Jiis fiiture fortunes. To explain this, it is 
necessary to state the occurrences of the island during hia 
long detention in Spain, 

2. When he sailed for Europe in March, 1406, his bro- 
ther, Don Barlhoionijw, innnediately proceeded to ex- 
ecute his instriictioiis w\\\\ respect to the gold mines of 
Hayna. He built a fortress iii tlie neighbourhood, which 
he named St. CrisLoval, and anoilipr not far off, on the 
eastern bank of the Ozema. Tins last fortress was called 
San Domingo, and was the origin of the city vrliich still 
bears that name. 

3. Having garrisoned tli- se fortresses and made ar- 
rangeuicnts for working the miiies, the indefatigable 
Adelantado sot o;!t to visit the dominions of Behechio, 
which had not a.> y 'l !)<: -n rcdi^.cjd to obedience. This 
cacique, as has l;i'-ii m 'iiioiicd, rei^-ned over Xaragua, a 
province comp)-i.-:!Pi:- ;..!.' I'i.i- L t!ie wliole of the westend of 
the island, incluiliij ;• ('ap'.> Tiburon. It v, as one of the 
most populous aiuii' riil' d:;-Lricts. 

4. The inliubitani s ■./rrc ■iiioly formed, and had a noble 
air, a more agn-ejibiC 'Jo^iijo;;, and nioro r^ofi: and grace- 
ful manners, tJ-jiM tii'' nu'iv^s of t!-,^ oMi-r udrt of the 
island. The liulians of lliivti gcn-rally j^laced their 
elysium, or })arr.di^^o of liappv sjiirit;-', \\\ the delightful 
vallevs that boi-dort-u th.^ iJ•r^'ac lal.'j of Xai-s.o-ua. 

5. 'With Boh-chio resided lils ^s^ r. \\v, ^^idow of the 
late formidable Caonai:o, o{v^ ortho i^iost Iravilitul females 
in the iskmd, of great natural grace and dignitv, and su- 



134 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

perior intelligence. Her name was Anacaona, which in 
the Indian language signified Golden Flower. She had 
taken refuge with lier brother, after the capture and ruin 
of her husband, but appears never to have entertained 
any vindictive feelings against the Spaniards. On the 
contrary, she counselled iier brother, over v/hom she had 
great influenc?, to take warning by the fate of her hus- 
band, and to coiiciliate their friendship. 

G. Don Bartholomew entered the province of Xaragua 
at the head of an armed band, putting his cavalry in the 
advance, and marching with banners displayed, and the 
Kound of drum and trumpet, Behechio met him with a 
numerous force, but being assured t!iat he came merely 
on a friendly visit, he dismissed his army, and conducted 
the Adelantado to his residence in a large town, near the 
deep bay called at present the Bight of Leagon. 

7. Thirty young females, of the cacique's household, 
beautifully fornit^d, came forth to meet tliem, waving palm 
branches, and daticing and singing their areytos or tra- 
ditionary ballads. When tiiey came before Don Bar- 
tholomew, they knelt and laid their palm branches at 
his feet. 

8. After these cam<^ th-^ beautiful Anacaona, reclining 
on a litter, borne by six Indians. S!ie was lightly clad 
in a robe of various coloured cotton, with a garland of red 
and white flowers round her huad, and wreaths of the 
same round her neck and arms. She received the Ade- 
lantado with that natural grace and courtesy for which 
she was celebraled. 

9. For sevenil days Don Bartholomew was entertained 
by the cacique and liis sister witli banquets, national 
games and dances, aad otlier fjstivities ; then, Ijaving 
arranged for a periodical tribute to be paid in cotton, 
hemp, and cassava bread, he too!^' a friendly leave, and 
set out with his litiie a.rray for Isabella. 

10. He found the settlem :-nt in a sickly state, and suf- 
fering from a scarcity of provisions ; he distributed, 
therefore, ail that were too feeble to hibour or bear arms 
into the interior, wliere they might have better air and 
more abundant food ; and at the same time he established 
a chain of fortresses between Isabella and San Domin£fO. 



OF COLUMBUS. 12& 

11. Insurreccions broAe out among the natives of the 
vega, caused by their impatience of tribute, by the out- 
rages of some of the Spaniards, and by a severe punish- 
ment inflicted on certain Indians for the alleged viola, 
tion of a cha])el. Guarionex, a man naturally moderate 
and pacific, v/as persuaded by his brotiier caciques to 
take up arms, and a combination was formed among 
them to rise suddenly uj)on the Spaniards, massccre 
them, and destroy Fort Conception, which was situated 
in the vega. 

12. By some means the garrison received intimation 
of the conspiracy. They immediately wrote a letter to 
the Adelantado imploring prompt assistance. How to 
convey the letter ;n safety was an anxious question, for 
the natives had discovered that these letters had a won- 
derful power of communicating intelligence, and fancied 
that they couid la!!:. 

13. An Indian ui:dcrtook to be the bearer of it. He 
enclosed it in a staff, and set oat on his journey. Being 
intercepted, he pretended to be dumb and lame, leaning on 
his staff for support. Ke was suffered to depart, and limp- 
ed forward until out of sight, when he resumed his speed, 
and bore the letter saft-ly to San Domingo. 

14. The Adelantado, with his accustomed promptness, 
set out with a body of troops for the fortress. By a 
rapid and well concerted stratagem he surprised the 
leaders in the night, in a village in which they were 
sleeping, and carried them all off captive, seizing upon 
Guarionex with his own hand. He punished two 
caciques, the principal conspirators, with death, and 
pardoned all the rest. Finding, moreover, that Guario- 
nex liad been cliiefiy incited to hostility by an outrage 
committed by a Spaniard on liis favourite v/ife, he inflict- 
ed punishment on the offender. 

15. The lieart of Guarionex v/as subdued by the unex- 
pected clemency of the Adelantado, and he made a 
speech to his subjects in praise of the Spaniards. They 
listened to him with attention, and when he had con- 
cluded, bore him off on thvdr sl.oidders with songs and 
shouts of joy, and for some time the tranquillity of the 
vega was restored. 

11* 



126 LIFE AKD VOYAUK8 

16. About this time, receiving information from Bc- 
hechio, cacique of Xaragna, that his tribute in cotton and 
provisions was ready for delivery, the Adelantado march- 
ed there, at the head of his forces, to receive it. So 
larg'e a quantity of cotton and cassava bread was collect- 
ed together, that Don Bartliolomew had to send to the 
eettlement of Isabella for a caravel to be freighted with it. 

17. In the mean time, the utmost kindness was lavish- 
ed upon their guests by these gentle and generous peo- 
ple. The troubles which distracted the other parts of 
devoted Hayti had not yet reached this pleasant region; 
and when the Spaniards regarded the fertility and sweet- 
ness of the country, bordering on a tranquil sea, the 
kindness of the inhabitants, and the beauty of the womeUt 
they pronounced il a perfect paradise. 

18. When the caravel arrived, it was regarded by An. 
acaona and her brother witli awe and wonder. Behechio 
visited it with his canoes ; but his sister, with her female 
attendants, were conveyed on board in tlie boat of the 
Adelantado. As tliey approached, tlie caravel fired a 
ealute. At the sound of the cannon, and the sight of 
volumes of smoke, bursting from the sides of tlie ship 
and rolling along the sea, Anacaoim, overcome with dis- 
may, fell into the arms of the Adelantado, and her at- 
tendants would have leaped overboard, luit were reassured 
by the cheerful words of Don Bartholomew. 

19. As they drew nearer the vessel, several instruments 
of martial music struck uj), with wljich they were greatly 
delighted. Their admiration increased on entering on 
board ; but when the anchor was weighed, the sails filled 
by a gentle breeze, and they 'echeld this vast mass veer- 
ing from side to side, anparenily by its own will, and 
playing like a huge monster on th'3 deep, the brother and 
sister remained gazing at each other m mute astonish- 
ment. Nothing seems ever to Iiave filled t'.-'^ mind of the 
savage with more v.'onder than tljat beautiful triumph of 
human ingenuity — a ship under sail. 

20. While the Adelantado vi^as thus absent quelling 
insurrections, and making skilful arrangements for the 
prosperity of the colony, new mir.chiefy were fermenting 
m the factious settlement of Isabella, The prime mover 



or COLUMBUS. 137 

was Francisco Roldan, a man who had been raised by 
Columbus from poverty and obscurity, and appointed 
alcalde mayor, or chief judge of the island. 

21. He was an uneducated man, but -of strong natural 
talents, great assiduity, and intrepid impudence. He 
had seen liis benefactor return to Spain, apparently un- 
der a cloud of disgrace, and, considering liim a fallen 
man, began to devise how he might protit by his down- 
fall. He was intrusted with an office inferior only to 
that of the Adelantado ; the brothers of Columbus were 
highly unpopular ; he imagined it possible to ruin them, 
boUi with the colonists and with the government at home, 
and by dexterous management to work his way into a 
command of the colony. 

22. For this purpose be mingled among the common 
people, threw out suggestions tliat the admiral was in 
disgrace, and would never return ; railed at the Ade- 
lantado and Don Diego as foreigners, who took no in- 
terest in their welfare, but used them merely as slaves 
to build houses and fortresses for them, or to swell their 
state, and secure their power, as they marched about 
the island, enriching themselves v*^ith the spoils of the 
caciques. 

23. By these seditious insinuations, he exasperated 
their feelings to such a degree, tiiat they at one time 
formed a conspiracy to assassinate the Adelantado, but 
it was happily disconcerted by accident. 

24. Wiien tiie caravel returned from Xaragua, laden 
with provisions, it was dismantled by order of Don Diego, 
and drawn up on the beach. Roldan immediately seized 
upon this circumstance to awaken new suspicions. He 
eaid the true reason for dismantling tlie caravel was to 
prevent any one from returnmg in it to Spain, to repre- 
sent the oppressioris under which they suiTered. He ad- 
vised them to launch and take possession of the vessel, 
as the only means of regaining their independence. 

25. Don Diego, who was of a pacific nature, and defi- 
cient in energy, endeavoured to divert Roldan from his 
schemes by sending him with a small force to overawe 
the Indians of the vega; but it v/as only putting v/eapons 
in the hands of rebellion. 



1^ LIFE AND VOTAOB8 

26. Roldan found himself at the head of seventy well 
armed and resolute men, disposed to go all lengths with 
him. He made friends and partisans also among the 
discontented caciques, and then, throwing off the mask, 
openly set the Adelantado and Don Diego at defiance. 

27. They had no authority, he said, from the crown, 
but had been appointed by their brother, the admiral, who 
was himself in disgrace. For his own part, he always 
pretended to act in his official capacity, and from loyal 
motives. Having endeavoured repeatedly to launch the 
caravel, but in vain, he broke open the royal stores and 
supphed his followers with arms, clothing, and provi- 
sions ; every outrageous act of the kind bemg accompa- 
nied with shouts of " Long live the King." 

28. He now marched off to the vega, and .attempted 
to surprise and get possession of Fort Conception. He 
was happily foiled by its commander, JSIiguel Ballester, 
a stanch old soldier, both resolute and wary, who kept 
Roldan at bay, and sent tidings of his danger to Don 
Bartholomew. 

29. Tlie Adelantado threw himself with what forces 
he could collect, into the fortress, where he was held in 
a state of siege by Roldan, w!io liad gained popularity 
among the Indians and tlie dissolute Spaniards, by re. 
presenting himself as the redresser of wrongs, and cham- 
pion of the injured. 

30. The affairs of the island were now in a lamenta- 
ble situation. The Indians ceased to send in their tri- 
butes, and threw off allegiance to the government. Rol- 
dan's band daily gained strengtli, and ranged insolently 
about the country ; while the Spaniards, who remained 
loyal, fearing conspiracies among the natives, kept under 
EJielter of the forts. Munitions of ail kinds wera rapidly 
wasting, and the spirits of the well -affected were sinking 
into despondency. The Adelantado himself remained 
shut up in Fort Conception, doubtful of the fidelity of his 
own garrison, and secretly informed of plots to capture 
or destroy him, should lie venture abroad. 

SI. At this critical juncture, the arrival of two ships, 
under command of P&dro Hernandez Corona.], at the port 
of San Dom'uigo, with troops and provisions, strengthen- 



OF COLUMBUS. 129 

ed the hands of Don Bartholomew. The royal confir- 
mation of his title and autliority of Adelantado at once 
put an end to all question of the legitinrjacy of his power, 
and secured the tidflity of his soldiers ; and the tidings 
that the admiral was in high favour at court, and on the 
point of com.mor out with a powerfid squadron, struck 
consternation into tlia rebels. 

32. The Adelantado immediately hastened to San Do- 
mingo, nor was there any attempt n:iade to molest him 
on his march. When he found iumself once more secure, 
his magnanimity prevailed over his hidignation, and he 
sent Pedro Hernandez Coronal, to offer Roldan and his 
band amnesty for all offences, on condition of instant 
obedience. 

83. When Coronal approached the encampment of 
the rebels, he was opposed in a narrow pass by a body of 
archers v/ith their crossbows levelled. " Halt there, trai- 
tor!" cried Roldan, "had yon arrived eight days later, 
we should all have been united." It was in vain that 
Coronal endeavoured to win this turbulent man from liis 
career. He prof'jssed to oppose only the tyranny and 
misrule of the Adelantado, but to be ready to submit to 
the admiral on his arrival, and he and his principal con- 
federates wrote letters to that effect to their friends in 
San Domingo. 

34. When Coronal returned witli accounts of Roldan's 
contumacy, the Adelantado proclaimed hira and his fol- 
lowers traitors. That shrewd rebel, however, did not 
suffer his men to remain within the reach either of pro- 
mise or menace. He proposed to them to march off, and 
establish themselves in tlie remote province of Xaragua. 

35. In this delightful region, emancipated from the 
iron rule of the Adelantado, and relieved from tlie ne- 
cessity of irksome labour, they might lead, he said, a life 
of pertbct freedom and indulgence, with a world of 
beauty at their command. In sliort, Roldan drew a 
picture of loose sensual enjoyment, such as })e knew to 
be irresistible with men of idle and dissolute habits. • His 
followers acceded with joy to his propc)gition ; so, putting 
himself at their head, he marched av/ay for Xaragua, 
where he was kindly received by the natives. 



130 MFE AND VOYAGES 

36. Scarcely had the rebels departed, when fresh in- 
surrections broke out among' the Indians of the vega. 
The cacique Guavionex, moved by the instigations of 
Roldan, entered into a new league to destroy the Span- 
iards. The plot exploded before its time, and was de- 
feated ; and Guarionex fled to the mountains of Ciguay, 
with his family, and a small band of faithful followers. 

37. The inhabitants of these mountains were the most 
robust and hardy tribe of the island, and the same who 
had skirmished with the Spaniards in the Gulf of Sama- 
na, in the course of the first voyage of Columbus. The 
reader may remember the frank and confiding faith with 
which their cacique trusted himself on board of the cara- 
vel of the admiral, the day after the skirmish. It was to 
this same cacique, named Mayonabex, that the fugitive 
chieftain of the vega applied for refuge, and he received 
a promise of proteclion. 

38. Indignant at finding his former clemency of no 
avail, the Adelantado T)ursued Guarionex to the moun- 
tains at the head of ninety men, a few cavalry, and a body 
of Indians. They had to climb rocks, wade rivers, and 
make their way through tangled forests, almost imper- 
vious to men, (-ncnnibered with targ*ets, crossbows, and 
lances. Ambushes of Indians, also, would rush forth 
with furious yells, discharge their weapons, and take re- 
fuge again among rocl.s and thickets, where it was in 
vain to follow them. 

39. Don Bartholomew arrived, at length, in the neigh- 
bourhood of t!ie residence of Mayonabex, and sent a mes- 
senger, demanding the surrender of Guarionex, promising 
friendship in case of compliance, but tlireatening fire 
and sword, in cas'^ of refusal. 

40. " Tell the Si)aniards," said the cacique, in reply, 
"that they are tyi'ants, usurpers, and sliedders of inno- 
cent blood, and I desire not their friendstiip. Guarionex 
is a good man, and my friend. He has fled to me for 
refuge : I have promised him protection, and I will keep 
my word." 

41. The cacique adhered to his promise with admira- 
ble faith. His villages were burnt, his territOx"ies were 
ravaged, himself and hisl'imily driven to dtns and caves 



OF COLUMBUS. 131 

of the mountains, and his subjects assailed him with 
clamours, uro-ing liini to g-ive up the fugitive, who was 
bringing such ruin upon their tribe. It was all in vain. 
He was ready, ho declared, to abide all evils, ratlierthan 
it should ever be said JMayonabex betrayed his guest. 

42. For throe months the Adelantado hunted these 
caciques among the mountains, during which time he 
and his soldiers v.'ere almost worn out with toil and hun- 
ger, and exposures of all knids. The retreat of Mayona- 
bex was at length discovered. Twelve Spaniards, dis- 
guising themselves as Indians, and wrapping their 
swords in palm leaves, came upon him secretly, and sur- 
prised and captured him, with his wife and children, and 
a few attendants. 

43. The Adelantado returned, v/ith his prisoners, to 
Fort Conception, where ho afterwp.rds released them all, 
excepting the cacique, wlioni he detained as a hostage 
for the submission of his tribe. 

44. The unfortunate Guarionex still lurked among the 
cavenis of the mountains, but was driven, by hunger, to 
venture down occasionally into the plain, in quest of food. 
His haunts were discovered, he v>'as waylaid and cap- 
tured by a party of Spaniards, and brought in chains to 
Fort Conception, where he anticipated death from the 
vengeance of the Adelantado. 

45. Don Bartholomew, however, though stern in his 
policy, was neither vindictive nor cruel ; he contented 
himself with detaining him a prisoner, to ensure the tran- 
quillity of the vega ; and then returned to San Domingo, 
where, shortly afterwards, he had the happiness of wel- 
coming the arrival of his brother, the admiral, after a 
separation of nearly two years and a half. 

-«.«@©— • 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Rebellion of Roldan. [1498.] 

1. One of the first measures of Columbus, on his arri- 
val, was to issue a proclamation, approving all the ntea- 



132 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

«ures of the Adelantadoj and denouncing Roldan and hia 
associates. A circumstance had oecnrred to add to the 
party and resources of that turbulent man. 

2. The three caravels freighted with supplies, which 
had been detached by Colmnbus when at the Canary 
Islands, having been carried far west of their reckoning 
by the currents, arrived on the coast of Xaragua. Rol- 
dan went on board, and, pretending to be in command 
at that end of the island, succeeded in procuring a supply 
of arms and military stores : numbers of the crews, also^ 
on being landed, deserted to the rebels j who received 
them with shouts of exultation. 

3. Discovering, though too late, the real character of 
these men, and fearing further desertions^ the comman- 
ders of the ships immediately put to sea. One alonej 
named Carvajai, remained behind, and passed some days 
with the rebels, endeavouring to recal them to their alle- 
giance* He represented to them that Columbus was 
on his way from Spain with additional forces, and 
would have the means of punishing them for their past 
conduct. 

4. His representations had their effect. Roldan pro- 
mised to repair to the neighbourhood of San Domingo, 
the moment he heard of the arrival of Columbus, that he 
might be at hand to state his grievances, and effect an 
amicable arrangement. He kej)t this promise, and Co- 
lumbus had scarcely arrived, before the rebels began to 
assemble in the village of Bonao, about twenty leagues 
from San Domingo, making their head quarters at the 
house of one of the ringleaders, named Pedro Reguelme. 

5. The admiral immediately sent an offer, of full par- 
don to Roldan, on condition of his return to duty ; and 
proclaimed a free passage to all who wished to return to 
Spain, in five ships ready to put to sea. His offer of 
pardon was treated with contempt, and demands were 
made of the most arrog^ant nature. 

6. The admiral was disposed to mnrch at once against 
the rebels, and bring them to obedience by force of arms. 
On mustering the men of San Domingo, however, rot 
above seventy appeared ; and of these above thirty ex- 
cused themselves from serving, under various pretexts. 



OF COLUMBUS. 18d 

The true reason was, that most of them had relatives or 
friends among' the rebels. 

7. Columbus now hastened to despatch the five ships 
to Spain, in which he gave free passage to all who were 
discontented and wished to return iiome. By these ships 
he informed the sovereigns of the rebellion ; and, as 
Roldan pretended that it was only a quarrel betvv'een him 
and the Adelantado, Columbus begged that the matter 
might be investigated by hnpartial persons. He also en- 
treated, that a man learned m the law might be appoint- 
ed as judge over the island. Roldan and his friends also 
wrote by these ships, endeavouring to justify their con- 
duct by charging Columbus and iiis brothers with injus- 
tice, oppression, and various abuses. 

8. The ships being despatched, Columbus resumed 
his negotiations with the rebels. The burden of their 
complaint having been the rigorous rule of his brother^ 
he tried the alternative of lenient conduct. He wrote in 
conciliating tenns to Roldan, reminding him of past kind- 
nesses, and entreating him, for the sake of his own repu- 
tation, which stood well with the sovereigns, to return to 
his duty. He, moreover, invited him and his companions 
to come and treat with him at San Domingo, pledging 
his word for their security. 

9. Meetings took place, but without beneficial result. 
Agreements were made and faithlessly broken by the' 
rebels, who felt their power, and increased in the inso- 
lence of their demands. 

10. In the midst of his perplexities, Columbus receiv- 
ed from Spain a reply to the letter ho had written on the 
subject of the rebellion. It was penned by his invidious 
enemy the Bishop Fonseca, and was of the most ungra- 
cious teno|»in forming him that the matter must remain in 
suspense until it could be investigated by the sovereigns. 

11. This cold reply had a disheartening effect upon 
Columbus, while it increased the confidence of the rebels, 
who saw that his complaints had little weight with the 
government. In their subsequent negotiations, Roldan 
conducted more like a conqueror exacting terms, than a 
delinquent seeking pardon. 

12. The mind grows wearied with recording, and the 

12 



134 MFB AND VOYAGES 

generous heart must burn with indignation in perusmg, 
the stoiy of this ineftectual struggle of a man hke Co- 
lumbus in the toils of contemptible miscreants. 

13. Surrounded by doubt and danger, a foreigner among 
a jealous people, an unpojuilar connnander in a mutinous 
island, distrusted and slighted by the government he was 
seeking to serve, he knew not wiiere to look for faithful 
advice, efficient aid, or candid judgment. He was fear- 
ful, too, of seditions among his own people, who talked 
of following the example of the rebels, and seizing upon 
the province of Higuey. 

14. Thus critically situated, he was gradually con- 
strained to sign a humiliating capitulation with the 
rebels ; giving them portions ot'Jand in different parts of 
the island, and Indian slaves taken in the wars. 

15. He made an arrangement, also, by which the ca- 
ciques in their vicinity, instead of paying tribute, should 
furnish parties of their subjects, at stated times, to assist 
them in cultivating their lands. These levies of free 
Indians, as labourers, v\'ero called reparlimienloSj and 
were afcervv-ards generally adopted and shamefully abused 
throughout the tJpanish colonies, to the great oppression 
and misery of the natives. 

IG. Several of the partisans of Roldan returned to 
Spain in two caravels that were subsequently fitted out. 
Some of them took home a number of the Indian slaves 
that had been granted them by capitulation ; otjN;^rs se- 
cretly carried away the daughters of caciques, whom 
they had beguiled from their liomes and families. These 
misdeeds of profligate men, it will be found, were after- 
wards wrcst'^d to matters of accusal ion against Columbus. 

17. If Roldnn was careful to obtain extravagant terms 
for his followers, he was not more modest ii^his demands 
for himself. His first stipulation was, tha"ie shoidd be 
reinstated in the oifice of alcalde mayor, or chref judge. 
His next, that certain lands in the vicinity of Isabella 
should be restored to him. Then, that he should have 
grants of a royal farm situated in tlie vega, and extensive 
■tracts of land in Xaragua, with cattle and live stock be- 
longing to the crown, and rcpartimienfoG of Indians. 

18. One of the tirst measures oi^ Roldan as alcalde 



OF COLUMBUS. 135 

9 

mayor^ was to appoint bis active confederate Pedro Re* 
guelme alcalde of Bonao. Columbus was highly dis- 
pleased at this assumption of a power not vested in his 
office. His suspicions were aroused, too, on hearing 
that Regueline, under pretext of erecting a farm house, 
was building- a strong edifice on a hill, capable of being 
converted into a fortress ; and he sent peremptory orders 
for him to desist from the construction of it. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

Visit of OJeda to the West End of the Island. Conspu 
racy of Moxica. [1499.] 

1. About this time reports were brought to Columbus 
that four ships had anchored at the western part of the 
island, a little below Jacqnemol, apparently v/ith the de- 
sign of cutting dye woods, and carrying off the natives 
for slaves. They were commanded by Alonzo tie Ojeda, 
the same cavalier who had distinguished himself by the 
capture of Caonabo. 

2. Knowing the daring and adventurous spirit of this 
man, the admiral was disturbed at his visiting the island 
in this clandestine manner. To call him to account, 
however, required a man of spirit and address. No one 
seemed fitter for the purpose than Roldan. He was as 
daring as Ojeda, and of a more crafty character. An 
expedition of this kind would occupy the attention of 
himself and his partisans, and divert them from any 
schemes of mischief. 

3. Roldan gladly undertook the enterprise. He set 
sail with two caravels, anchored in the rieighbourhood of 
Ojeda, aifd, landing secretly V\7ith four and tv/enty reso- 
lute followers, surprised tliat cavalier at an Indian village 
•several leagues from his sliips. He demanded a sight 
of his commission, and his reason for visiting- tiiat remote 
part of the island, and cutting dye wood, without first 
jeporting himself to the admiral. 

4. Ojeda replied, that his commission. was on board of 



1S0 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

his ship ; that he had been on a voyage of discovery, and 
had put in there iK distress to repair his ships and obtain 
provisions ; but that as soon as these matters were ac- 
complished, he should pay his homage to the admiral. 
With this reply Roldan was satisfied, and, after visiting 
the ships, returned to San Domingo. 

5. The truth was, that x\lonzo de Ojeda had been at 
court when the despatches arrived from Columbus giving 
account of his discoveries on the coast of Paria. Being 
a favourite of Bishop Fonseca, who was always more 
prone to patronize loose adventurers than high minded 
discoverers, and who was disposed to do any thing that 
might impair the glory of Columbus, he easily obtain- 
ed copies of the charts and maps sent home by the 
admiral. 

6. Being thus acquainted with the route he had pur- 
sued in his last voyage, he thought to follow it out, to 
explore the pearl coast, and finish what Columbus had 
begun. The bishop readily granted him the requisite 
license. This document was never signed by the sove- 
reigns, and was in violation of their express agreement 
with the admiral. 

7. In this expedition sailed Americus Vesputius,* a 
Florentine merchant, who afterwards published an ac- 
count of his voyages. By the pretension of this man, 
or the errors or fi-auds of others, his name has been given 
to the whole of the new worid : an honour which was 
due alone to Columbus. 

8. Ojeda had ranged along the southern continent 
from two hundred leagues east of the Oronoco to the 
Gulf of Paria. He had visited the coasts and islands in 
the vicinity, and trafficked with the natives for pearls 
and gold. He had touched at the Caribbee islands, 
fought with the natives, and brought away many cap- 
tives to be sold as slaves in Spain. He had thfen sailed 
for Hispaniola to obtain provisions, and had there met 
with Roldan. as has been mentioned. 

9. When the ships of Ojeda were again ready for sea, 
instead of sailing for San Domingo, as he had promised, 

* This name in Italian is written Amerigo Vespucci. The latter word 
Is pronounced Veepuchy. 



OF COLTJHBU9. 137 

he steered for the coast of Xaragua. His arrival pro- 
duced brawls and tumults among many of'the late rebels, 
who were quartered in that province. Soma of them 
were for placing Ojeda at their head, and marching 
against Columlms, to compel the redress of pretended 
grievances. Others demurred, and quarrels took place 
in which several were killed. 

10. In the midst of this confusion, Roldan arrived in 
the neighbourhood with a band of resolute followers. 
Some of the residents joined him. A long course of 
manoBuvering took place between these well matched 
adversaries, each wary of the other. Ojeda was at 
length obliged to abandon the coast, and made sail for 
some other island, to comphite a cargo of Indian slaves. 

11. The followers of Roldan took great merit to them- 
selves for their unwonted loyalty in driving Ojeda from 
the island ; and, like all reformed knaves, expected that 
their good conduct would be amply rewarded. Looking 
upon their leader as having every thing in his gift, they 
requested him to share among them the line province of 
Cahay, adjoining to Xaragua. 

12. Roldan, who was now anxious ta establisli a cha- 
racter of adherence to the law^ declined acceding to their 
wishes, until sanctioned by the admiral ; but, to soothe 
their rapacity, he shared among them the lands v/hich 
had been granted to him in Xaragua. While he was re- 
maining in this neighbourhood, other troubles broke out, 
and from somewhat of a romantic cause. 

13. A young cavalier of noble family, but headstrong 
passions, named Hernando de Guevara, cousin to Adrian 
de Moxica, one of the ringleaders of the late rebellion, 
was banished from San Domingo for licentiou?? conduct, 
and sont to Xaragua, to embark in the ships of Ojeda, 
but arrived after their departure. 

14. He was favourably received at the house of the 
female cacique Anacaona ; and became enamoured of 
her daugliter Higuenamota, v/ho was just grown up, and 
greatly admired for lier beauty. Guevara possessed an 
agreeable person, and winning manners, and his endear- 
ments soon won the heart of the simple Indian girl. 

15. Anacaona favoured his attachment ; especially as 

12* 



138 LIFE AND VOVAGKS 

he sought her daugliter in marriage. !Roldan Was him- 
self attached to the young Indian beauty, and jealous of 
lier preference of his rival. He exerted his authority to 
separate the lovers, and banished Guevara to the province 
ofCahay. 

16. The latter soon returned, concealed himself in 
the dwelling of Aiiacaona, and fomented a conspiracy 
among the old comrades of Roldan, who detested as a 
magistrate the man they had idolized as a leader. It was 
concerted to rise suddenly upon him, and either to kill 
him or put out his eyes. The plot was discovered ; 
Guevara with seven of his accomplices were arrested, 
and sent to the fortress of San Domingo. 

17. When Adrian de Moxica heard that his coilsin 
Guevara was arrested, and t'nat too by his former con- 
federate Roldan, he was highly exasperated. He hasten- 
ed to the old haunt of rebellion at Bonao, where he was 
seconded by Podro Reguehno, the newly appointed al- 
calde. They went round among their late follow rebels, 
and soon mustered a daring body of men, ready with 
horse and weapon for ouy desperate enterprise. Moxica, 
in his fury, m:xlitat;id not nrn-tly the rescue of his cousinj 
but the death of Roldan and tiio admiral. 

IS. Colmnbus was at Fort Conception, with an incon- 
siderable tbrcc, whan he lieard of this dangerotis plot. 
He saw that Ids safety depended upon prompt and vigor- 
ous measures. Talcing with Ijim but six or seven trusty 
servants, and three esquires, all well armed, he came sud- 
denly upon rhe conspirators in the niglit, seized Moxica 
and "several of liis principal confederates, and bore them 
off to Fort Conception. 

19. Resolving to set an example that should strike 
tcrro;* into the factious, he ordered that Moxica should 
be hanged on tlie top of th.e fortress. The latter entreat-- 
ed to be allowed a confossor. A priest was sent for. 

20. The miserable culprit,, wlio had been so daring in 
rebellion, lost all courage at the near approacli of death. 
He delayed, and liesitated in his confession, as if hoping 
by wiiiling away time to give a chance for rescue. In- 
stead of confessing his own sins, he began to accuse 
others, until Columbus, losing all patience, i" his min- 



6f cbLUMBus. 139 

gled indignation and scorn, ordered the dastard wretch to 
be flung from the battlements. 

21. This act of severity was promptly followed up. 
Pedro Reguelme was taken with several of his compeers, 
in liis ruffian den at Bonao, and conveyed to the fortress 
of San Domingo. The conspirators fled for the most 
part to Xaragua, where they were pursued by the Ade- 
lantado, seconded by Roldan, and hunted out of all their 
old retreats. 

22. Thus in a little while the power of faction was 
completely subdued. The troubles and dangers which 
had surrounded Columbus seemed breaking away, and or- 
der coming out of confusion. He now looked forward 
to the prosecution of his grand enterprises, the exploring 
the coast of Paria, and the'establishment of a pearl fishery 
in its waters. 

23. How illusive were his hopes ! at this very mo- 
ment events were maturing that wei-e to overwhelm hrni 
with distress, strip him of his honours, and render him 
comparatively awTeck for the remainder of his days. 

_*»«@©«.-. 
CHAPTER XXXni. 

Intrigues against Columbus in the 'Spanish Court. Ap^ 
pointment of Bobadilla as commissioner. His arrival 
at San Domingo. [1500.] 

1. While Columbus was involved in a senes of dif- 
ficulties in Hispaniola, his enemies were but too success- 
ful in underaiining his reputation in the court of Spain. 
The bishop Fonseca, and others, who had frequent access 
to the sovereigns, were enabled to place every thing urged 
against him in the strongest light, while they destroyed 
the force of his vindications. 

2. Every vessel from tlie new world came freighted 
with complaints and calumnies ; it v/as even alleged, 
that Columbus intended to cast off allegiance to Spain, 
and either make himself sovereign of the countries he 
had discovered, or yield them into the hands of some 



140 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

Other power ; a slander, which, however extravaganl, 
was calculated to startle the jealous mind of Ferdi- 
nand. 

3. Every repining- man who returned from the colony 
with real or fancied claims for arrears of pay, or losses 
sustained, was secretly instigated to beset the king- in 
person. A g&ng of disorderly ruffians, who had been 
shipped off to free the island from their seditions, found 
their way to the court at Granada. They followed tiie 
king when he appeared in public, clamouring for their 
pay. 

4. About fifty of them assembled one day in the main 
court of the Alhambra, whining and complaining under 
the windows of the royal apartments, and holding up 
bunches of grapes as the meagre diet to which they 
were reduced by the cruel deceits of Columbus. The 
two sons of the admiral, who were pages to the queen, 
happening to pass by at the time, tliey followed thera 
with imprecations. " There go," cried they, " the whelps 
of him who discovered the land of vanity and delusion ; 
the grave of Spanish cavaliers !" 

5. The incessant repetition of falsehood will gradually 
wear its way into the most candid mind. Isabella her- 
self began at length to doubt. Columbus and his bro- 
thers, though upright, might be injudicious, and mis- 
chief is oflener produced in government through error of 
judgment than iniquity of design. Isabella doubted, but 
the jealous Ferdinand felt convinced. 

6. He had never regarded Columbus with real cordiaJi* 
ty ; and, ever since he had ascertained the importance 
of his discoveries, had regretted the extensive powers he 
had vested in his hands. He now resolved to send out 
some person to investigate the affairs of the colony, and,. 
if necessary for its safety, to assume the command. 

7. At this juncture arrived the two caravels with 
some of the late followers of Roldan. Beside the slaves 
which Columbus had been obliged to grant them by the 
articles of capitulation, several of them, as has been re- 
lated, had secretly brought off the daughters of caciques 
whom they had seduced from their homes. Some of 
these were in a state of pregnancy, others had new born 



OF COLUMBUS^ 141 

mfants. These wrongs were said to have been all au- 
thorized by Columbus. 

8. The sensibility of Isabella as a woman, and her 
dignity as a queen, were instantly in arms. " What 
right," exclaimed she, indignantly, " has the admiral to 
give away my vassals ]" She immediately ordered all 
the Indians to be restored to their homes ; nay, more> 
she commanded that tJiose whicli had formerly been sent 
to Spain by the admiral, should be sought out and reship* 
ped to Hispaniola. 

9. Unfortunately for Columbus, at this very juncture, 
in one of his letters, he advised the continuance of In- 
dian slavery for some time longer, as a measure impor- 
tpjit to the welfare of the colony. This contributed to 
heighten the indignation of Isabella, and induced her no 
longer to oppose the sending out a commissioner to in- 
vestigate his conduct, and, if necessary, to supersede 
him in command. 

10. The person chosen for this most momentous of- 
fice was Don Francisco de Bobadi]la> an officer of the 
royal household, and commander of the military and re- 
ligious order of Calatrava. He is represented by some 
as a very honest and religious man ; by others, and with 
apparent justice, as needy, passionate, and ambitious- 
three powerful objections to his acting as judge in a 
case where the utmost caution and candour were re- 
quired, and where he was to derive wealth and power 
from the conviction of one of the parties. 

11. Bobadilla arrived at San Domingo on the 23d of 
August, 1500. Before entering the harbour, he learnt 
that the admiral and the Adelantado were absent in the 
interior of the island, and Don Diego in command. He 
was told of the recent insurrection of Moxica, and the 
punishments which had followed. Seven of the rebels 
had been hanged that week, and five more were in the 
fortress of San Domingo, condemned to suffer the same 
fate. 

12. Among these were Pedro Reguelme, the factious 
alcalde of Bonao, and Fernando de Guevara, the young" 
cavalier, whose passion for the daughter of Anacaona 
had been the original cause of the rebellion. As the ves« 



14^ LIFS AND VOTAOES 

eels entered the river, Bobadilla beheld on either bank a, 
gibbet, with the body of a Spaniard lianging on it. He 
considered all these circumstances as conclusive proofs 
of the alleged cruelty of Columbus. 

13. The report had already circulated in the city, that 
a commissioner had arrived to make inquisition into the 
late troubles. Many hastened on board the ship to pay 
early court to this public censor, and to have the first 
telling of their stpry ; and their accounts, of course, Vv-ere 
generally unfavourable to the admiral. In fact, before 
Bobadilla landed, if not before he arrived, the culpability 
of Columbus was decided in his mind. 

14. He acted accordingly. He made proclamations 
at the church door, in presence of Don Diego and the 
other persons in autliority, of his letters patent, authori- 
zing him to investigate the rcbeJiion ; and demanded that 
Guevara, Reguelme, and the other prisoners, should be 
delivered up to him, with the depositions taken in their 
cases. 

15. Don Diego declared he coifld do nothing of the 
kind without the authority of the admiral, and requested 
e, copy of the letters patent, tliat he might send it to his 
brother. This Bobadilla refused, and added, that since 
the office he proclaimed appeared to have no weight, he 
would try what efficacy there was in the name of governor. 

16. On the following day, therefore, he caused another 
royal patent to.be read, investing him with the govern- 
ment of the islands, and of Terra Firma ; an authority 
which he was only to have assumed on absolute proof of 
the delinquency of Columbus. This letter being read, 
he again demanded the prisoners, and was again refused ; 
Don Diego observing, that they were held in obedience 
to the admiral, to wliom the sovereigns had granted let- 
ters of a higher nature. 

17. Bobadilla now produced a mandate from the crown, 
ordering Columbus and his brothers to deliver up all for- 
tresses, ships, and other royal property ; and another, 
ordering that the arrears of wages due to all persons in 
the royal service should be immediately paid, and the 
admiral compelled to pay the arrears of those to whoro 
he was individually accountable. 



OF COLUMBBS* 145^ 

18. This last document was received with shouts by 
the multitude, to many of whom long- arrears were due, 
in consequence of the })0verty of the treasury. Flushed 
with his growmg popularity, Bobadilla again demanded 
the prisoners, and receiving tlie same reply, he proceed- 
ed to the fortress, and made a formal demand of them of 
the Alcayde Mig-usl Diaz. The latter refusd to surren- 
der them to any one but the admiral. 

19. Upon this, Bobadilla assemblsd the sailSrs of the 
ships, and the rabble of the place, marched them to the 
prison, broke open the door, which readily gave way,, 
while some of his myrmidons put up ladders to scale the 
walls. Tlie fortress, havmg no garrison, was easily car- 
ried, and the prisoners were borne off in triumph, and. 
given in custody to an alguazil. 

20. Such was the entrance into office of Francisco de 
Bobadilla, and he continued his career in the same spirit. 
He took up his residence in the house of Columbus,- 
seized upon his ann^, gold, plate, jewels,.horses, books, 
and most secret papers ; paying out of the property thus 
seized the wages af tliose to whom the admiral Vv^as in 
arrears, and disposing of the rest as if already, confiscated 
to the crown. 

21. He even hinted that he was empowered to send 
Columbus home in chains, and: declared that neither he,, 
nor any of his lineage, would evei'p again be permitted to 
govern the island. To increase his fa^^our with the peo- 
ple, he proclaimed a general license for twenty years, to 
seek for gold, paying merely an eleventh to government, 
instead of a third, as formerly. 

CHAPTER XXXIV 

Colunibus arrested and sent to Spain. 

1. Columbus was at Fort Conception in the Vega 
when he heard of the high handed proceedings of Boba- 
dilla. He at first considered him some rash adventurer 
like Ojeda, but finding that he acted under royal au». 



144 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

thority, he supposed him some person in commissioft 
like Aguatio, who was transcendincr his powers. Hi 
wrote a temperate letter to liim, therefore, cautioning 
him against his precipitate measures, and issued counte' 
proclamations to nullify those which were disturbing- 
the island. 

2. Bobadilla, in reply, sent him a copy of the roya 
letter of credence, commanding his implicit obedience 
to whatever he should enalct, and, in virtue of this docu. 
ment, commanded him to appear before him immediatelj 
at San Domingo. 

3. A vulgar rumour circulated among the populace 
that Columbus intended to resist his authority, and war 
enhsting the caciques of the vega under his bannei* 
Bobadilla believed, or affected to believe this rumour. 
He mustered the troo'|5s, and made a bustle of military 
preparation ; then arresting Don Diego, he threw him 
in irons and confined him on board of a caravel, v/ithout 
assigning any reason for such treatment. 

4. In the mean time Columbus, with his wohtfed loy- 
alty, yielded implicit obedience to the cruel letter 6) 
his sovereigns, though it struck at once at the root of his 
well earned dignity and power, and put him under the 
control of Bobadilla. Without hesitation or demur, 
he obeyed the summons of this shallow man, and ap- 
peared alnlost Unattended at the gates'of San Domingo. 
Wo sooner did Bobadilla hear of his arrival, than he gave 
orders to put liirii also in irons, and to confine him in the 
fortress. 

5. This outrage to a person of such veiier^ble appeaT- 
Bnce, and eminent merit, seemed for a time to shock 
even his enemies. When the irons were brought, every 
one present shrunk from the task of putt iilg them onhim,i 
either out of a sentiment of compassion at so great a re^ 
verse of fortune, or out of habitual reverence for his per^ 
son. To fill the measure of ingratitude mfeted out to 
him, it was one of his own servants that volunteered to 
rivet his fetters. 

6. Columbus conducted himself with characteristic 
magnanimity under the injuries lieaped upon him. There 
is a noble scorn which swells and supports the heart, aud 



ofr coLijMBi/s: 145 

silences the tongue of the truly great, when enduring the 
iiisiilts of the unworthy. Columbus could not stoop to 
deprecate the arrogdnce of a weak and violent man like 
Bbbadilla. 

7. He looked beyond" this shallow agent, and all his 
petty tyranny, to the sovereigns who had employed him. 
it was their injustice and ingratitude alone that could 
wound his fepirit ; and he felt assured that when the 
i.ruth came to be known, they would blush to lind how 
j^reatly they had wronged him. With this proud assu- 
Jance, he bore all present indignities in silence. 

8. Ho even wrote a letter to the Adelantado, who was 
still in Xaragiia, at the head of an armed force, exhorting 
him to submit quifetiy to the will of the sovereigns. Don 
iJartliolomew immediately complied, and hastened peace- 
fully to San Ddmingo, where He experii;nced the isame 
treatment with his brothers, being put in irons; and con- 
fined on board of a caravel. 

9. They were kept separate from edch other, and no 
communication permitted between them. Bobadilla did 
not see them himself, nor did he allow others to visit 
tliein; and they were kept in total ignorance of the 
cjimes with which they were chetrged, and the proceed- 
ings that were instituted against them. 

10. The, sceijes of the time of Aguado were now re- 
h< .'wed, with tenfold virulence. All the old charges were 
revived, and others added, still mbVe extravagant. Evei? 
the late tumults were turned into matters of accusation, 
and the rebels admitted as evidence. 

11. The well-merited punishments inflicted upon cer- 
tain of tb'? ringleaders were cited as proofs of a cruel and 
eevengefu] disposition, and a secret hatred of Spaniards. 
Guevara, Reguelme, and their fellow convicts, wer^ dis- 
charged almost without the form of a triaJ. Roldan, 
Tom the very first, had been treated with confidence by ^ 
Bobadilla ; all tiie others, v/hose conduct had rendered 
.hem liable to just-ice, received either a special acquittal 
irn general pardon. 

12. San Domingo now swarmed with miscreants, just 
ie'ivered from the dungeon and the gibbet. Every base 
ipint which had been overawed by Columbus and his 

13 



146 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

brothers when in power, now hastened to revenge itself 
upon them when in chains. Tiie most injurious slanders 
were loudly proclaimed in the streets, libels were posted 
up at the corners, and horns blown in the noigfhbourhood 
of their prisons, to taunt them with the exultings of the 
rabble. 

13. Bobadilla had now collected testimony sufficient, 
as ho tiioug-ht, to ensure the condemnation of the },<r;son. 
ers, and his own continuance in command. He deter- 
mined,, therefore, to send home the admiral and his 
brothers in chains, in the vessels which v/ere ready for 
sea, with the inquest taken in their case, and private 
letters enforcing- the char^^es made against them. 

14. The charji-e of conducting- the prisoners to Spain 
was given to Alonzo de Viilejo,* an officer in the employ 
of Bisliop Fonseca, v/ho is supposed to liave been the 
secret instigator oi' all these violent proceedings. 

15. Villejo, however, was a man of honourable charac- 
ter, and generous feelings, and sliowed himself superior 
to the low malignity of his patron. When he arrived 
with a guard to conduct the admiral from the prison to 
the ship, lie found him in cliain?, m a state of deep de- 
spondency, fearing that lie should be sacriiiced williout a 
hearing, and that his name would go down to posterity 
sullied with imputed crimes. 

16. Seeing the ofiicer enter with the guard, he tliought 
it was to conduct him to the scaffold. " Villcjo," said 
he mournfully, " whither are you taking me ?" » To the 
ship, your excellency, to embark," replied the other. 
" To embark !" echoed the admiral. " Villejo,. do you 
speak the truth 1" ♦' By the life of your excellency," re- 
plied the honfst officer, " it is true !" With these words 
the admiral v^as comforted, and felt as one restored from 
deatR to life. 

17. The caravels set sail early in October, bearing off 
• Columbus shackled like the vilest qf culprits, amidst the 

scoffs and shouts of a miscreant rahble, who took a brutal 
joy in heaping insults on his venerable head, and sent ' 
curses atlter him from theislanddie had so recently added ' 
to the civilized world. 

• rronounccd Villehij!., i 



6P cOLVTiBva. 147 

18. Fortunately the voyage) v/as favourable and of 
inoderato duration, and was rendered less irksome to 
Columbut?, by the conduct of those to whom he was 

•iven in custody. The worthy Villejo, as well as An- 

•^as Martin, the master of the caravel, always treated 

) with profound respect and assiduous attention. They 

juld have taken off his irons, but to this he would not 

.onsent. 

19. "No," said he, proudly, "their majesties command- 
ed me by letter to submit to wliatevor Bobadilla should 
order in their name ; by their authority he has put upon 
me tliese chains ; I will wear them until they shall or- 
der them to be taken off, and I will afterwards preserve 
them as rehcs and memorials of the reward of my 
services." 

20. " He did so," adds his son Fernando, in his his- 
tory ; " I saw them always hanging in his cabinet, and 
he requested that when he died they might be buried 
with him !" 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Arrival of Columbus in Spain. His Interview with the 
Sovereigns. Appoint?ne7U of Ovando to the Government 
of Hispaniola. [1500.] 

1. The an-ival of Columbus, a prisoner, and in chains, 
produced a general burst of indignation in Cadiz, which 
was echoed throughout Spain. No one stopped to rea- 
son on the subject. It was sufficient to be told that Co- 
lumbus was broiiglit home in chains from the world he 
had discovered. 

2. On tlie arrival of the sliips at Cadiz, Columbus sent 
off privately by express a long letter, '.o a lady of the 
court, high in favour with the queen. K contained an 
ample vindication of liis conduct, couched in eloquent, 
and dignified, and touc-hing language. When it was 
read to the noble-minded Isabella, her heart was filled 
with mingled sympathy and indignation. 



140 . LIFE 4lN1> ypYAoi;s 

3. Ferdinand joined >vith . his generous queen, in rep- 
rebating the treatment of the admiral. Without wait- 
ing to receive any documents from Bobadilla,, they sent 
orders that the prisoners should be instantly .set at liberty, 
arjd treated with ail distinption ; and that two thousand 
ducats should be advanced to ('olumbus to defray the 
expenses of his journey to court. They wrote him a 
letter at the same time, exjire^sing their grief at all that 
he had suffered,, and invititig him to Granada. 

4. Columbus 'appeared at court,, not as a man ruined 
B.T]^ disgraced, but richly dress'^^d, ?.uh1 with an 'lipnoura- 
ble. retinue, lie was, received with unqualified favour 
arjd distinction. When the queen beheld this venerable 
ni^n approach, and thqught on. all he had (Reserved, ana 
ftll that he liad sufiered, she was moved 1o tears. 

5. Coluinbus had endured with lofi-v scorn the in- 
juries and insults of ignoble inen ; but, when he foun(| 
liimself tlius kinil|y receive(1, and boHeld tears in the be- 
nign eyes of IsabiMla, his long suppressed fet.lings bursj^ 
forth; he threw himself upon his knees, and for some 
time could not utter a word for tears and sobbings. Fer- 
dinand and Isabella raised him from the ground, and eii- 
(leavoured to encqurq,g.e hiuj by themost gracious ex- 
pressions. 

^. As soqn as he regained his self-possession, he cr|- 
tefed into an e]q({uent aiid Iqgh minded vindication of* 
his condu-ct : but there was no need of vindication on his 
part. He stood in th(^ ])resence of his sovereigns a deeply 
injured man, and it rt-mained for them to vindicate theip- 
selves to the world, from the cliarge of ingratitude to- 
wards their rnost desep-ing subject. •' 

7. They expressed their indignation at the proceedings 
of Bobadilla, which they disavowed, as contrary to his 
instructions ; and they promised that he should be im- 
mediately dismissed from hia command, and thf^ admiral 
reinstated in all hi;, ])rivileges and dignities, and indem- 
nified for the losses he h^d sustained. 

8. Columbus now expp'cted, of course, to be iu^medi- 
ately sent back in triumph to San Domingo, as viceroy 
and admiral of the Indies ; but in this he was doomed to 
experience' disap.j)piutnient. Ferdinand, however bes 



OF COLUMBUS. 149 

might have disapproved of the violence of Bobadilla, was 
secretly well pleased with its effects. It had produced 
a temporary exclusion of Columbus from his high offices, 
and the politic monarch determined, in his heart, that he 
Khould never be restored to them. 

9. He had long repented having vested such great 
pov/ers and prerogatives in any subject, particularly in a 
foreigner ; but at the time of granting them, he had no 
idea of the magnitude of the countries over which they 
'would be exercised. Recent discoveries, made by various 
individuals, put it beyond a doubt that these countries 
must be inexhaustible in wealth, as they appeared to be 
boundless in extent. 

10. Yet over all these Columbus was to be viceroy, 
with a share in their productions, and in the profits of 
their trade, that must yield him an incalculable revenue. 
The selfish monarch appeared almost to consider himself 
OTitvvitted in the arrangement he had made ; and every 
new discovery, instead of increasing his feeling of grati- 
tude to Columbus, seemed only to make hun repine at 
the growing magnitude of his reward. 

11. Another grand consideration with the monarcn 
was, that Columbus was no longer indispensable to him. 
He had made his great discovery ; he had struck out the 
route to the new world, and now any one could follow it. 
A number of able navigators had sprung up under his 
auspices, u'ho vrere daily besieging the throne with -offers 
to fit out expeditions at their ov/n cost, and to yield a 
share of the profits to the crown. Why should he, there- 
fore, confer princely dignities and prerogatives for that 
which men v/ere daily ofi'ering to perform gratuitously ? 

12. Such, from his after conduct, appears to have been 
the jealous and selfish policy which acti:ated Ferdinand 
in forbearing to reinstate Columbus. Plausible reasons, 
however, were given for delaying his re-appointment. 

13. It was observed that the elements of those factions 
which had recently been in arms yet existed in the island, 
and might produce fre&h troubles should Columbus return 
immediately. It was represented as advisable, therefore, 
to send some officer of talent and discretion to supersede 
Bobadilla, and to hold the government for two years, by 

13* 



15d' LIFB AND VOYAGES 

which time all angry passions would be allayed, and tar- 
bulent individuals removed. Columbus might then re- 
sume the command, with comfort to himself, and advan- 
tage to the crown. With this arrangement the admiral 
was obliged to content himself. 

14. The person chosen to supersede Bobadilla was 
Don Nicholas de Ovando, commander of Lares, of the 
order of Alcantara. He is described as being of the 
middle size, with a fair complexion, a red beard, a mo- 
dest look, yet a tone of authority ; fluent in speech, cour- 
teous in manners, prudent, just, temperate, and of great 
humility. 

15. He appears, from his actions, however, to have 
been plausible and subtle, as well as fluent and courteous ; 
his humility concealed a great love of command ; he v/as 
a merciless scourge to the Indians, and in his dealings 
with Columbus he was both ungenerous and unjust. 

16. While the departure of Ovando was delayed by 
various circumstances, every arrival brought intelligence 
of the disastrous state o.' tJie island, under tlie adminis- 
tration of Bobadilla. The latter was not so much a bad, 
as an imprudent and a weak man. Imagining rigorous 
rule to be the rock on which his predecessors had split, 
he had, at the very outset, relaxed the reins of justice 
and morality, and, of course, had lost all command over 
the community. 

17. One dangerous indulgence called for another, and 
•each was ceded in its turn. He sold the farms and es- 
tates of the crown at low prices, and granted universal 
permission to work the mines, on paying only an eleventh 
of the produce to government. 

18. To prevent any diminution in the revenues, it be- 
came necessary to increase the quantity of gold co-!lect- 
ed. He enforced, therefore, the regulations by which 
the caciques were obliged to furnish parties of their sub- 
jects to work for the Spaniards in the field and in the 
mine. To carry these into more complete effect, he 
made an enumeration of the natives of the island, reduced 
them into classes, and distributed them, according to his 
favour or caprice, among the colonists. 

19. His constant exhortation to the Spaniards was, to 



OP COLUMBUS. 15F 

produce large quantities of gold. " Make the most of 
your time," he would say, "there is no knowing how 
long it will last ;" alluding to the possibility of his being 
speedily recalled. The colonists acted up to his advice, 
and so hard did they drive the poor natives, that the 
eleventh yielded more re<yenue than 'had ever been pro- 
duced by the third, under the government of Columbus. 

20. In the mean time, theunhappy Indians sunk under 
the toils imposed upon them, and the severities by which 
they were enforced. A capricious tyranny was exercised 
over them by worthless men, numbers of whom had been 
transported convicts from the dungeons of Castile. These 
wretches assumed the tone of grand cavalieTs, and in- 
sisted upon being attended by trains cf servants : they 
took the daughters and female relatives of caciques for 
their servants ^r their concubines. 

21. In travelling, they obliged the natives to transport 
them on their shoulders in litters or hammocks, while 
others held umbrellas of palm leaves over their heads, 
and cooled them with fans of feathers. Sometimes the 
backs and shoulders of the unfortunate Indians who bore 
the litters wore raw and bleeding from the task. 

22. When those arrogant upstarts arrived at an Indian 
village, they capriciously seized upon and lavished the 
provisions of the inhabitants, and obliged the cacique 
and his subjects to dance for their amusement. They 
never addressed the natives but in the most degrading 
terms ; and for the l'E>a5t offence, or in a mere freak of 
ill humour, they v/ould inflict blows and lashes, and even 
death itself. 

23. The tidings of these abuses, and of the v/rongs of 
the natives, grieved the spirit of Isabella, and induced 
her to urge the departure of Ovando. He was empow- 
ered to assume tiie command immediately on his arrival, 
and to send home Bobadilla by tiie return of the fleet. 
Hispaniola was to be the metropolis of the colonial gov- 
ernment, which was to extend over the islands and 
Terra Firma. 

24. Ovando was to correct the late abuses, to revoke 
the improper licenses granted by Bobadilla, to lighten 
•the burdens imposed upon the Indians, and to promote 



152 LIFE ANP VOYAGES 

their religious instruction. He was, at the same time, 
to ascertain the injury sustained by Columbus in his late 
arrest and imprisonment, and the arrears of revenue that 
were due to liim, that he mig-ht receive ample redress 
and compensation. Tlie admirg-I was allowed a resident 
ag-ent in the island, to attend to his affairs, to which office 
he immediately appointed Alonzo Sanchez de Carvajal. 

25. Among various decrees on this occasion, we find 
the first trace of negro slavery in the nevy world. Permis- 
sion was given to transport to the colony negro slaves born 
in Spain, the children and descendants pf natives brought 
tVqm Guinea, where the slave trade had for some time 
been carried on by the Spaniards and Portuguese. 

26. The fleet appointed to convey Ovando to his go- 
vernment, was the largest that had yet saiieJ to the new 
world, consisting of thirty sail, of various sizes, provided 
with all kinds of supplies for the colony. Twenty-five 
hundred souls embarked, many of them persons of rank, 
with their families. 

27. Ovando was allowed a brilliant retinue, a body 
guard of horsemen, and the use of silks, brocades, and 

f)recious stones, attliat time forbidden by the sumptuary 
aws of Spai-n. Such was the style in which a favourite 
of Ferdinand, a native subject of rank, was fitted out to 
enter upon the governn^ent withheld from Columbus. 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Propositions of Columbus for a Crusade. His preparO" 
Lions for a fourth Voyage. [1500 — 1501.] 

1. Columbus remained in the city of Granada up- 
uxirds of nine months, endeavouring to retrieve his af- 
fairs from the confusion into which they had been thrown. 
During thij period, he called to mind his vow to furnish, 
within seven years from the time of his dis-covery of the 
new world, an army of fifty thousand foot and five thou- 
sand horse, for the recovery of the holy sepulchre. 

2. The time had elapsed, the vow remained unfulfilled 



Pf CQLV^^IJS. 153 

ai}4 the Q.ypeoted treasures that were to pay the army 
had never been realized. Destitute, tlierefore, qf the 
moans of accomphshiiicr his pious purpose, he considered 
it his duty to incite the sovereigns to the enterprise. He 
set to v/qrk, therefore, with liis accustomed zeal, to pre- 
pare arg^uments for the purpose. 

'8. A;ded by a Carthusian friar, he collected intq a 
manuscript volume all the passages in the sacred scrip- 
tures and in the writings qf the fathers, which he conceiv- 
ed to contain mystic portents and prophecies of the dis- 
covery of the new world, the conversion of tiie gentiles, 
and the recovery of the" hpjy sepulchre; three gfeat 
events ^yhich ho considered as destined to si^ccced each 
other, and to be accomplished through his agency. 

4. iici prepared, at the sar;ie time, a long letter to the 
sovereigns, written with his usual fjrvour of spirit and 
simplicity of heart, urging them to set on foot a crusade 
for the conquest of Jerijsalem. It is a singular cqmpq- 
sition, which lays open the visionary part of his ch.arac- 
ter, and shows the mystic and speculative reading with 
which he waj? accustomed to nurture his solemn and soar- 
ing imagination. 

5. At length liis tlioughts suddenly retprned, with re- 
newed ardour, to tiicir wonted channels, and he conceived 
a leading object foj another enterprise of discpvery. 

6. Vasco de Gaina liad recently accomplished the long 
attempted navigation to India by the Cape of Good Hope, 
and Pedro Alvarez Cabral, follov/ing in his track, had 
returned with his vessels laden with the precious mer- 
chandise of the cast. I^he riclies of Calicut were now 
the theme of every' tpngne. The discoveries of the 
savage regions of tiie new wqrld had as yet brought but 
little revenue to Spain, but this route to the East Indies 
was pouring in immediate weallli upon Portugal. 

7. Columbus was roused to emulation, and trusted ho 
could discover a route to those oriental regions more easy 
and direct than that of Vascp de Gama. According to 
his own observations', and the reports of other navigators, 
the coast of Terra Firma stretched far to the v/estward. 
The southern coast cf Cuba, which he considered a part 
of the Asiatic continent, sti-etched onward towards "the 



154 LIFE AND VOYAOE8 

same point. The currents of the Caribbean sea miist 
pass between these lands. 

8. He was persuaded, therefore, that a strait must exist 
somewhere thereabout, opening into the Indian sea. 
The situation in which he placed his conjectural strait 
was somewhere about what is at present called the Isth- 
mus of Darien. Could he but discover such a passage, 
and thus link the new world he had discovered with the 
opulent oriental countries of the old, lie felt that he 
should make a maj^nificent close to his labours. 

9. He unfolded his plan to the sovereigns, and, thouarh 
it met with some opposition on the part of certain of the 
royal counsellors, it was promptly adoi)ted, and he was 
empowered to fit out an armament to carry it into eifect. 
He accordingly departed for Seville in the autumn, to 
make the necessnry preparations; but such v/ere the 
delays caused by the artifices of Fonseca and his agents, 
that it was not until the following month of May that he 
was able to put to sea. 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Columbus sails on his fourth Voyage. Erjents at the 
Island of Hisvanioia. Hi": search after an imaginary 
SiraiL [1502.'] 

1. yAoE was rapidly making its advances upon Cohim. 
bus, when he undertook his fourth voyage of discovery. 
He was now about sixty-six years old. His constitu- 
tion, originally vigorous in the extreme, had been impair- 
ed by hardsJiips in every clime, and by the mental suf- 
ferings he had undergone. 

2. His intellectual powers alone retained their wonted 
energy, prompting him, at a period of life when most 
men seek repose, to sally forth, with youthful ardour, on 
tlie most toikome and adventurous of enterpris.^s. In 
this arduous voyage he was accompanied by his brother 
Don Bartholoinevv', v/ho commanded one of the vessels, 
and by his son Fernando, then in his fourteentli year. 



OF COLUMBUS. 155 

3. Columbus sailed from Cadiz on the 9th of May. 
His squadron consisted of four caravels, the largest of 
but seventy tons burden, tlie smallest of tltly ; the crews 
amounted in all to one hundred and Mfty men. With 
this little armament, and these slender bari^s, he under- 
took- the search after a strait, which, if found, must con- 
duct him into the most remote seas, and lead to a com-, 
plete circumnavig-ation of the globe. 

4. Afr.er touching at the Canaries, he had a prosperous 
voyage to the Caribbee islands, arriving on the 15th of 
June at Mantinino, at present called Martinique. One 
of his vessels proving a dull sailer, he bore away for His- 
panbla, to exchange it for one of the fleet v/hich had re- 
cently taken. )ut Ovando. 

5. He arrived off the liarbour of San Domingo at an 
unpropitious moment. The place was filled with the 
most virulent of hi? enemies. The fleet which liad 
brought out Ovando lay in the harbour ready to put to 
sea, and was to take out Roldan, and many of liis late 
adherents, some of whom v/erc under arrest^ and to be 
tried in Spain. 

6. Bobadilla was to embark in the principal ship, on 
board of which he had put an immense amount of gold, 
collected for the government during liis administration^ 
and which he confidently expected would atone for all his 
faults. Among the presents ho intended for the sove- 
reigns was one mass of virgin gold, which is famous in 
the old Spanish chronicles. It was said to weigh three 
thousand six hundred castillanos. Large quantities of 
gold had also been shipped by the followers of Roldan, 
and other adventurers , the wealth gained by the sufFer-- 
ings of the unhappy natives. 

7. On arriving at the mouth of the river, Columbus 
sent an officer on shore to explain the purpose of his visit, 
and request permission to shelter his squadron in the 
river, as he apprehended an approaching storm. His 
request was refused by Ovando. 

8. He then sent a second message, entreating that the 
Bailing of the fleet might be delayed, as there were in- 
dubitable signs of an approaching tempest. This request 

, was as fjuitless as the preceding; the v.feather, to an, 



156 LIFE AND VOYAtiES 

inexperienced eye, was fair and tran(|(ii], Sind the wsim- 
ing of the admiral was treated with ridicule; as the pre- 
diction of a false prophet. 

9. Columbus retired from the river, indignant at being 
refused shelter in the very island \Vhich he had discover- 
ed. Feeling confident that a storm was at hand; he^ept 
close to shore, thinkingtb Shelter himself in S6me wild 
bay or river of the isknd. 

10. In the hiean time, the fleet of Bobftdi'lla stood out 
confidently t6 sea. Within two days the prediction^ of 
Colurnbiiswere verified. One of the tremendous storms 
which*^,'s\yeep those latitudes, gathered iip and began t6 
blow. The little squadron of Columbus refnained fof a 
time tolerably well sheltered by the land ; but the tem- 
pest increasing, and the night coming on \vith unusual 
darkness, the ships lost sight of each dther, and were 
separated. 

11. The admiral still kept close to the shore, and sus- 
tained no damage. The tliree other vessels ran oiit for 
sea room, and for several days' were driver! about at the 
mercy of wind and wave, fearful each mOnjent of ship- 
wreck, and giving up each other as lost. The Adelan- 
tado, who commanded the worst vessel of the squadron, 
ran the most imminent hazard, and nothing but his con- 
summate seamanship enabled him to' keep her afloat. 
At length, after various vicissitudes, they all arrived safe 
at Port Ht?rmoso, to the west of San Domingo. 

12. A diff'erent fate befell the other armament. The 
fihip'on b(?ard of which were' Bobadilla, Roldan, and a 
number of the miOst inveterate enemies of Columbus, was 
swallowed iip with all its crew, and with the celebrated 
mass of gold, and the principal part of the ill-gotten trea- 
sure gained by the miseries of the Indians. Many of 
the other ships were entirely lost, some returned to Sar 
Domingo in shattered condition, and only one was en- 
abled to continue her voyage to Spain. 

13. That one, it is said, was the weakest of the fleet, 
and had on board of it four thousand pieces of gold, the 
property of the admiral, remitted to Spain by his agent. 

14. Both Fernando Columbus and the venerable his- 
torian J^s Casas looked upoii this event as one of tliosc 



OP COLUMBU8. 157 

awfiil judgments which seem, at times, to deal forth tern, 
poral retribution. They notice the circumstance, that, 
while the enemies of the admiral were thus, as it were 
before his eyes, swallowed up in the raging* sea, tJie only 
ship enabled to pursue lier voyage, was the frail bark 
freighted with |iis property. 

15. Many of the superstitious seamen, who, from the 
sagacity displayed by Columbus, in judging of the signs 
of the elements, and his variety of scientific knowledge, 
looked upon him as endowed with supernatural powers, 
fancied he had conjured up tliis storm by magic spells', 
for the. destruction of his enemies. 

16. The evils, however, in this, as in most of the cases 
called temporal judgments, overwhelmed the innocent 
with the guilty. In the same ship with Bobadilla and 
Roldan, perished the captive Guarionex, the unfortunate 
cacique of the vega. 

17. After repairing the damages sustained by his" ships 
in the storm, Columbus steered for Terra Firma,an(i on 
the 30th July arrived at the island of Guanaga, on the 
coast of Honduras. Here he met witli a canoe of im- 
mense size, paddled by twenty-five Indians, on board of 
which sat a cacique, with his wives and children, under 
an awning of palin leaves. 

18. In the canoe were hatchets and other . utensils of 
copper, with a kind of crucible for the melting of that 
metal ; various vessels neatly formed of clay, marble, and 
hard wood ; mantles of cotton, worked and dyed with 
various colours ; and many other articles which indicated 
a superior degree of art and civilization than Jiad hitherto 
been discovered in the new world. The Indians inform- 
ed the admiral that they had come from a rich, cultiva- 
ted, and industrious country, situated t6 the west, and 
urged him to steer in that direction. 

19. Well would it liave been for Columbus had he; 
followed their advice. Within a day or two he would! 
have arrived at Yucatan ; the discovery of Mexico, and 
the other opulent countries of Nev/ Spain, would have 
necessarily followed ; the Southern Ocean would have 
been disclosed to him, and a succession of splendid dis- 
coveries would have shed fresh glory on his aeclining 



158 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

ag^e, instead of its sinking amidst gloom, neglect, and 
disappointment. 

20. The admiral, liowever, was intent upon discover- 
ing the supposed strait that was to lead him to the Indian 
Ocean. He stood, therefore, southwardly for some moun- 
tains which he descried not many leagues distant, and 
made Cape Honduras, and from tlience proceeded east- 
\yardly, beating against contrary winds, and struggling 
with the currents which sweep that coast, 

21. There was an almost incessant tempest, with heavy 
rain and awful thunder and lightning. His vessels were 
strained so that their seams opened ; the sails and rig. 
ging were rent, and the provisions damaged by the rain 
and the leakage. The sailors were exhausted v\^ith fa- 
tigue, and harassed with terror. Several times they con- 
fessed their sins to each other, and prepared for death. ' 

22. During a great part of this time, Columbus suffer- 
ed extremely from the gout, and liis complaint v/as ag- 
gravated by.watchfidncss and anxiety, so tljat at times 
he thought his end approaching. IIis illness did not 
prevent his attending to iiis diilies ; he had a small cabin 
or round house constructed on the stern, from whence, 
even when confined to his bed, he could keep a look out, 
and regulate the sailing of the ships.. 

23. At length, after struggling for upwards of forty 
days to make a distance of about seventy leagues, he ar- 
rived, on the 14th of September, at a cape where the 
coast made a sudden bend, and turned directly south. 
Doubling this cape, he had immediately an easy wind, 
and swept off with flowing sail, in consequence of which 
he gave it the name of Gracias a Dios, or Tlianks to God. 

24. For three weeks he continued coasting what is at 
present called the Mosquito shore, in the course of which 
a boat with its crew was swallowed up by the sudden 
swelling of a river. He had bccasional interviews with 
the natives, but a mutual distrust prevailed betv/een them 
and the Spaniards. 

25. The Indians were frightened at seeing a notary 
of the fleet take out pen, ink, and paper, and proceed 
to write down the information they were communicating ;. 
they supposed he was working some magic spell, and to- 



OF COLUMBUS. 159 

counteract it, they scattered a fragrant powder in the 
?iir, and burnt it so that the smoke should be borne to- 
wards the Spaniards. 

26. The superstitious seamen looked upon these coun- 
ter charms with equal distrust. They susj)ected the 
people of this coast to be great enchanters, and that all 
the delays and hardships they had experienced were in 
consequence of the ships bein-g under some spell, wrought 
by magic art. Even Columbus, and his son and historian 
Fernando, appear to have been tinctured with this super- 
stition, which indeed is characteristic of the age. 

27. On the 5th of October, Columbus arrived at what 
is at present called Costa Rica (or the Rich Coast.) He 
began to find ornaments of pure gold among the natives. 
Thes.e increased in quantity v;^J^.en ho came to wdiat baa 
since been called the coast of Veragua, where ho was 
assured that the richest mines v/ere to be found. 

28. In sailing aloiig these coasts, he received repeated 
accounts of a great kingdom in the west, where he under- 
stood the Indians to say, there were seaports and ships 
armed with cannon ; where gold was so plenty, that the 
inhabitants embroidered their garments and embossed 
their furniture with it ; boside wearing it in coronets,, 
bracelets, and anklets ; and where they were armed with: 
swords, bucklers, and cuirasses, and were mounted on 
horses, like the Spaniards. 

29. These were evidently rumours of the distant king- 
dom of Mexico, imperfectly interpreted to Columbus, and 
shaped and coloured by his imagination. He concluded 
th?;,t this country must be some province belonging to the 
Grand Khan, and must Me on the opposite side of a 
peninsula, and that he would soon arrive at a strait lead- ' 
ing into the Indian Sea which washed its shores. 

30. With these erroneous ideas, Columbus continued 
to press forward in seorcii pf the imaginary strait, con- 
tending with adverse winds and currents, and meeting 
with great hostility from the natives y for the Indians of 
these coasts were fierce and warlike, and many of the 
tribes are supposed to have been of Carib origin. At 
eight of the ships, the forests would resound with yells 
and war whoops, with wooden drums, and the. blast qC 



100 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

conchs, and on landing, the shores would be lined with 
warriors armod with clubs, and lan'^os, and swords of 
palm wood. 

31. At length, having discovered and named Porto 
Bello, and continued beyond Cape Nonibre de Dios, Co- 
lumbus arrived at a small and narrow harbour, to which 
he gave the name of El Relrete^ or The Cabinet. Here 
he was induced to give up all further attempt to find the 
strait. His ships were pierced in all parts by the worms, 
and his seamen disheartened by adverse winds and 
currents. 

32. They considered themselves stdl under an evil 
spell worked by the Indian sorcerers, and the comman- 
ders remonstrated against forcing their way any farther, 
with ships so crazed and leaky. Columbus yielded to 
their solicitations, and determined to return to the coast 
of Verao^ua, and search for the mines which were said 
to abound there* 

CHAPTER XXXVHI. 

Return to the Coast oj Veragua. Contests with the 
Natives. [1502.] 

1. On the 5th of December, Columbus returned west. 
ward in search of the gold mines of Veragua. He had 
not proceeded far, when the wind became so variable and 
furious as to baffle all seamanship. For nine days the 
vessels were tossed about, at the mercy of a raging tem- 
pest. The sea boiled at times like a cauldron ; at other 
times it ran in mountain waves, covered with foam. 

2. For a day and night the heavens glowed like a fur- 
nace, with incessant flashes of lightning : while the loud 
claps of thunder were often mistaken by the mariners 
for signal guns of distress from their foundering com- 
panions. During the whole time there was such a deluge 
of rain, that the seamen were almost drowned in their 
open vessels. 

3. In the midst of this wild tumult of the elements, the 



OF COLUMBUS. 161 

ocean in one place became strangely agitated. Tlic wa- 
ter was whirled up into a kind of pyramid, or cone, while 
a livid cloud, tapering to a point, bent down to meet it. 
Joining together, they formed a column, whicii rapidly 
approached the ships, spinning along the surface o< 
the deep, and drawing up the waters with a rushing 
sound. 

4. Tiie affrighted marini;rs despaired of averting the 
danger by human meaiis, and began to repeat certain 
passages from St. John the Evangelist. The waterspout 
passed dose by their ships without irjuring them, and 
they attributed their escape to the miraculous efficacy of 
their quotations from the scriptures. 

6. An interval of calm succeeded, but the tempest-tost 
mariners looked upon it as deceitful, and beiield with 
alarm great numbers of sliarks, roaming about the ships. 
Among the superstitions of the seas is the belief that 
these voracious tish have not only the faculty of smelling 
dead bodies at a distance, bat keep about vessels whic'h 
have sick persons on board, or M-nich are in danger of 
being wrecked. 

6. For three weeks longer they continm^d lobe driven 
to and fro, endeavouring to make a distance of merely 
thirty leagues, insomuch that Columbus gave this line of 
sea-board the name of The Coast of Contradictions.* 
At length, to his great joy, he arrived on the day of 
Epiphaiiy (the 6th of January) en tiie coast of Veragua, 
and anchored in a river to whi-cii, in honour of the day, 
he gave the name of Belen or Bethlehem. 

7. The natives of the neighbourhood manifested the 
same fierce and warlike character that generally pre- 
vailed along the coast, but were soon conciliated. The 
Adelantado, with a band of men well armed, explored 
the surrounding country, and particularly the neighbour- 
hood of the Veragua, where there were gold mines. 

8. Quibian the cacique of that province, was a stern 
warrior, cautious and taciturn, of tall and powerful fi-ame. 
He descended with a numerous train from his village, 
which w^s situated on a hill, and met the Adelantado on 



* La costa rte Ior Conlrastea. 

14* 



162 LIFE JLND VOYAGES 

the bank of the river, seating- himself on a great stone 
which his attendants drew out of the stream. Thoug-h 
jealous of the intrusion of the Spaniards, he received 
them with courtesy, for ths lofty, vigorous, and iron form 
of the Adelantado, and his resolute demeanour, were 
calculated to inspire awe and respect. 

9. He readily furnished Don Bartholomew with guides, 
who took him about six leagues into the interior, among- 
magnificent foresis, where the soil appeared to be im- 
pregnated with gold, and the Spaniards collected a con- 
siderable quantity from tlie surface. They conducted 
him also to a high liill, commanding a vast prospect, and 
assured him that the whole country, for twenty days* 
journey westward, abounded i)i gold. 

10. The reports brought by Bon Bartholomew of these 
golden tracts, and the rumours of a rich and civilized 
kingdom in the interior, produced a new illusion in the 
mind of Columbus. He fancied that he had actually ar- 
rived at the Aurca Chersoncsus, (or golden peninsula) 
of the ancients, from whence, according to Josephus, the 
gold had been procured for the building of the temple of 
Jerusaloni. 

11. Here tiicu, the admiral determined to found a 
colony, which he trusted would bt'come the emporium of 
this golden region. The Adelantado agreed to remain 
here with eighty men, while the admiral returned to 
Spain for reinforcements. 

12. They inmiediately proceeded to carry their plan 
into operation. Houses of wood, thatched with palm 
leaves, were erected on the liigh bank of a creek, about 
a bow-shot within the mouth of the river Belen. A 
storehouse was built to receive part of the ammunition, 
artillery, and stores ; the rest was put on board of one 
of the caravels, which was to be left for the use of the 
colony. 

13. The houses being sufficiently finished to be habi- 
table, the admiral prepared for his departure, but the 
river had subsided to such a degree Uvdt there was not 
above half a fathom of water on the bar. Tliough his 
vessels v/ere small, it was impossible to draw them over 
the sands at the mouth of the river, on account of a heavy 



OP COLUHBUlft. IfJS 

surf. He was oblige(3, therefore, to wait tintil the rains 
should again swell the river. . 

14. In the mean time, one Dieg^ Mendez, chief notary 
of the tirmamcnt, a man of zeal and spirit, and of a 
shrewd prying character, and zealously devoted to the 
admiral, suspected from some movements among the 
Indians, a hostile design on the part of tlie cacique of 
Veragua. Accompanied by a single companion, he 
penetrated as a spy to the very residence of Quibian, 
wliich was situated on the crest of a hill, and surrounded 
by three hundred heads, on stakes ; dismal trophies of 
enemies vanquished in battle. 

15. The cacique was suffering from a wound in th6 
leg by an arrow. Mendez showed a box of ointment, and 
pretended to have cCme to cure him, but found it impos- 
sible to gain admittance. He saw enough, however, to 
convince him that an attack was a,bout to be carried into 
effect, and that it was merely delayed by the wound of 
the cacique ; he hastened back, therefore, to Columbus 
with the intelligence. 

16. An Indian interpreter corroborated the report of 
Mendez. He informed the admiral that Quibian intend- 
ed to come secretly at the dead of the nighty v/ith all his 
warriors, to set fire to the ships and houses, and massacre 
the Spaniards. 

17. Tlie Adelantado immediately determihed upon i» 
counterplot. Taking with him seventy-four men, well 
armed, he ascended the Veragua in boats, and landed in 
the night at the village of the cacique. Lest Quibian 
should take the alarm and fly, he ascended to his house, 
accompanied only by Diego Mendez, and four other rtien, 
ordering the rest, at the discharge of an arquebus to rush 
up and sun-ound the house. 

18. The cacique, hearing of his approach, came forth, 
and seating iiimself in the portal, desired him to advance 
singly. Don Bartholomew complied, ordering Diego 
Mendez and his four companions to remain at ^ little 
distance, but to rush to his aid at a concerted signal. 
He addressed tlie cacique by means of an interpreter* 
inquired about his wound, and, pretending to examine it, 
took him by the arm. 



164 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

19. This was the signal, at which four of the Span- 
iards rushed forward, the fifth discharged the arquebus. 
A violent struggle ensued between Don Bartholomew 
and the cacique, who were both men of great muscular 
force ; but, with the assistance of Diego lleudez and his 
companions, Quibian was o\ erpowercd, and bou)Kl hand 
and foot. 

20. In the mean time, the main body of the Spaniards 
surrounded the house, and captured the wives and chil- 
dren of the cacique, and several of his principal subjects. 
The prisoners were sent off to tiie ships, wliile the Ade- 
iantado, with a part of his men, remained on shore to 
pursue the Indians who had escaj)e(l. 

21. The cacique was given i)i charge to.luan Sanchez, 
the principal pilot oftiie squadron, a sturdy and powerful 
seaman. He was cautioned to be on his guard, as the 
cacique was crafty and vigorous. " If he escapes from 
my clutches," replied Juan Sanchez, vauiitingly, " I will 
give you leave to pluck out my beard, hair by hair." 

22. On arriving at the boat, ho. tied his prisoner by a 
strong cord to one of the benches. As they proceeded 
down the river, Quibian complained of the painfulness of 
his bonds. Sanchez loosened the cord, therefore, from 
the bench, but kept the end of it in his hand. The wily 
Indian watched his opportunity, and plunged suddenly 
into the water, and the pilot had to let go the cord, lest 
he" should be drawn in after him. 

23. The darkness of the niglit, and the bustle which 
took place in preventing the escape of the other prison- 
ers, rendered it impossible to pursue the cacique, or even 
to ascertaifl his fate. Juan Sanchez hastened to the 
ships with the residue of tne captives, deeply mortified 
at being th>js outwitted by a savage. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Disasters of the Settlement. [1503.] 

1. Satisfied that the vigorous measure of the Ade- 
lantado had struck terror into the Indians, and crushed 



OP COLUMBUS. 165 

their hostile desigrns, Columbus took advantage of a swell- 
ing of the river, to ])ass the bar with three of liis caravels, 
leaving the fourth for t!ie use of the settlement. He then 
anchored within a league of the shore, until a favourable 
wind should spring up for Hispaniola. 

2. The cacique Qaibian liad not perished in the river, 
as some had supposed. Phuigiug to the bottom, he swam 
for some distance below the surface, and then emerging 
escaped to the shore. His home, however, was deso- 
late ; and to complete iiis despair, he saw the vessels 
standing out to sea, bearing away his wives and children 
captives. 

3. Furious for revenge, he gathered together a great 
number of his warriors, and assailed the settlement when 
the Spaniards were scattered and off their guard. The 
Indians launched their javelins through the roofs of the 
houses, wliich were of palm leaves, or hurled them in at 
the windows, or thrust them between the logs which 
composed the wails,aad wounded several of the Spaniards. 

4. On the first alarm, the Adelantado seized a lance, 
and sallied forth with seven or eight of his men ; Diego 
Mendez brouglit several others to his assistance. They 
had a short skirmish ; one Spaniard was killed, and eight 
wounded ; the Adelantado received a thrust in the breast 
with a javelin ; but they succeeded in repulsing the In- 
dians, with considerable loss, and driving them into the 
forest. 

6. During tlie skirmish, a boat came on shore from the 
ships, to procure wood and water. It was commanded 
by Diego Tristan, a captain of one of the caravels. When 
the Indians were put to flight, the boat ascended about a 
league above the village, to a part of the river oversha- 
dowed by lofty banks and spreading trees. Suddenly 
the forest resounded v/ith yells and war-whoops, and the 
blasts of conchs. A shower of missiles was rained from 
the shores, and canoes darted out from creeks and coves, 
filled with warriors, brandishing their weapons. The 
Spaniards, losing all presence of mind, neglected to use 
their firearms, and only sought to shelter themselves 
with their bucklers. 

6. The captain, Diego Tristan, though covered with 



160 LirK AND. VOYAGES 

wounds^ endeavoured to aniipate his men, when a javelin 
pierced his right eye,. and struck him dead., The canoea 
now closed upon the boat, and massacred the crew,. 
One Spaniard alone escaped, vyho, having- fallen overr 
board, dived to the bottom, swani i^ider water, and, es? 
caped unperceived to shore, bearmg- tidings of the masr 
eacre to the settlement. 

7. The Spaniards were so alarmed at the dangers 
thickening around them, tliat, notwithstanding the re- 
monstrances of the Adelantado, they determjined to em- 
bark in the caravel, and abandon the place altogether. 
On making the attempt, however, they fount), that, the 
torrents having subsided, the river was again shallow, and 
it was impossible for the caravel to pass over the bar. 

8. A high sea and boisterous surf also prevented their 
sending off a boat to the admiral, with intelligence of 
their danger. While thus cut off from all retreat or 
succour, horrors increased upQn them. The mangled 
bodies of Diego Tristan and his men came floating down 
the stream, and drifted about the harbour,^ with fligiits of 
crows and other carrion birds feeding on them, and hover- 
ing, and screaming, and, fighting about their prey. 

9. In the mean time, the dismal sound of conchs and 
war drums was heard in the surrounding forests, showing 
that the enemy was ai>gmeniing in number, and preparing 
for further hostilities. Tlie Adelantado deemed it unsafe 
to remain in the village, which was adjacent to the woods. 
He chose an open place on tlie shore, where he cat^used 
a kind of bulwark to be made of the boq,t of the carayel, 
and of casks and sea chests. Two places were left open 
as embrasures, in which were mounted, a couple of fal- 
conets, or small pieces of artillery. 

10. In this little fortress the Spaiiiards shut themselves 
up, and kept the Indians at a. distance by the terror of 
their firearms ; but they were exhausted by watching 
and by incessant alarms, and looked forward with de- 
epondency to the time when their ammunition would be 
exhausted, or they should be driven forth by h^unger to 
seek for food. 

11. While the Spaniards were exposed to such immi- 
ueiit peril on shoje, great anxiety prevaoled on board of 



OF COLUMBUS. 187 

the ships. Day after day elapsed, without the return of 
Diogo Tristan and his party, and it>; was feared that some 
disaster had befallen them. But one boat remains>d for 
the serviceof the ships, and they dared not risk it, i.*i the 
rough sea, and heavy surfj to send it on shore for in- 
telligence. 

12. A circumstance occurred to increase their arixiety. 
The Indian prisoners were confined in the forecastle of 
one of tlie caravels. In tlie niglit they suddenly burst 
open the hatch, and several tlung themselves into the sea 
and swam to the shore ; the rest were secured and 
forced back into the forecastle, but such was their un- 
conquerable spirit and their despair, that they hanged or 
strangled themselves with cords, which lay about in. 
their prison, and in tlie morning were all found dead. 

l;3. The admiral teared that those who had got to- 
shore would stimulate their countrymen to vengeance. 
Still it was impossible to send a boat on shore. At length 
one Pedro Ledesma, a man of great strength an^ reso- 
lution, being taken in the boat to the edge of the surf, 
plunged into the sea, swam to shore, and brought off in- 
telligence of all the disasters tiiat had happened. 

14. He found the Spaniards preparing canoes to take 
them to the ships when the Vv/eather should moderate. 
They threatened that, if the admiral refused to take them-: 
on board, they would embark in the remaining caravel, . 
as soo!) as it could be extricated from the river, and would . 
abandon themselves to the mercy of the seas, rather tiian; 
continue on that flital coast. 

15. The admiral w^as deeply afBicted at what had hap- . 
pene<l. There appeared no alternative but to embark 
all the people, abandon the settlement for the present, 
and retm-n at a future day, with a force competent to 
take secure possession of the country. The high wind 
and boisterous weaves still prevented communication, and 
the situation of those at sea, in crazy ari^d feebly manned 
ships, on a lee-shore, was scarcely less perilous than 
that of their comrades on the land. 

Ifi. Every hour increased the anxiety of the admiral. 
Days of constant perturbation, and nights of sleepl-jss 
anguish^ preyed upon a constitution broken by age a^d. 



168 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

hardships. Amid the acute maladies of the body, and 
the fever of the rniud, ho apjjears to have been visited by 
partial dehriiim. 

17. In the pilonce of tbe night, when, wearied and 
sighing, he liad fallen intoa slunibiT, he thou^-lit he heard 
a voice reproaching him. " Oh foci, and slow to believe 
thy God i" exclaimed the voice, •» vrhat did he more for 
Moses, or for liis servant David ] From the thne t!iat thou 
wert born he has ever taken care of thee. When he 
saw tiiee of a fitting ago, he made thy name to resound 
marvellously throughout the Vv-orhl. 

18. " The Indies, those rich parts of the earth, he gave 
thee for tlnne o\vn, and empov/ored thee to dispose of 
them to others accordmg to tliy pleasure. lie delivered 
thee the keys of the gates of tiie ocean sea, shut up by 
such mighty chains, and thou wert obeyed in many lands, 
and didft acquire lionourable fame among Christians. 

19. "Thou dost call dcspondingly for succour. An- 
swer.; who has alHicted tb.ee 1 God, or tlie v/orjd ? The 
privileges and proniises whicli God h.as made thee, he has 
never bro';en. He fulfds all that lie promis:^s, and with 
increase. Thy present, troubles are the I'oward of the 
toils and perils thou iiast endured in serving" others." 
Amidst its reproaches the voice mingled promises of 
furtiier protection, and assurances thr>t liis age sliould be 
no impediment to any great undertaking, 

20. Such is the vision which Columbus circnmstan- 
tially relates in a letter to tlie sovereigns. He had a 
solemn belief tliat he was a peculiar instrument in the 
hands of Providence, wliicli, together witii a deep thige of 
of superstition, common to the age, made liim prone to 
mistake every sinking dream for a rcveiatiou. The 
words here spoken by a supposed voice, are truths which 
dwelt upon his mind, and agitated his spirit in his waking 
hours ; it was natural, therefore, that they should recur 
vividly in his feverish droams. 

21. Im.mediately aftr^r the supposed vision, and after 
nine days of ho'stcrous w ather, tiie v/ind subsided, the 
sea became calm, the Adelantado and his companicng 
were rescued from their perilous situation, and embarked 
on board of the ships. Everything of value was likewise 



OP COLUMBUS. 169 

brong-ht on board, and nothing- remained but, the hull of 
the caravel, which could not b(; extricated from the river. 
Diego Mcndpz Vv'as extreme-y efficient in bringinj^ olTthe 
people and the property ; and, in rew ard of his 'zohI and 
services, t!ie adm-ral gave him tlie command of the* cara- 
vel vacant by the deatJi of tlie unfortunate Diego Tristan. 

CHAPTER XL. 

Voyage to Jamaica, Transactions at tliot Isrand. [1503.] 

1. Towards the end of April, Columbus set sail from 
the disastrous coast of Veia^:^ua. ConMnuing alonj^ the 
coast eastward, he was c.r.licrd to abandon" one of the 
caravels in the harbour of Porto Belio, being- so pierced 
by the \\-orms that it v.'as ini})ossibl'3 to keep her aiioat. 
He then proceeded about ten leagues beyond Point Bias, 
near to what is at present called th.e gulf of Darif^n. 
Here he bade fare\voH to t!)e main land, and stood north- 
ward, on the first of May, in quest of Hispanioia. 

2. Notwitbstandlnr; all his precautions, he was carried 
BO far west by tlie currenlp, as to arrive, on the SOui of 
May, among the cluster of islands called the Queen's 
Gardens, on the south side of Cuba. During- this time, 
his crews sufiered excessively from hunger and fatigue. 
They v/ere crowded into two caravels, little better than 
mere wrecks, and which were scarcely kept afloat by 
incessant labour at the pump. 

3. A violent storm on the coast of Cuba drove the 
vessels upon each other, and shattered them to such a 
degree, that the admiral gave up all further attempt to 
navigate them to Hispaniola, and stood over, in search of 
a secure port, to the island of Jamaica. Here, on the 
24th of June, he ancHo'.Td in a harbour, to which he gave 
the name of Port San Gloria. 

4. Seeiyg that his ships were no longer sea-worthy, 
and were in danger of foundering even ni port, Colum- 
bus ran them aground, within bowslsot of the shore, where 
they were fastened together side by side. They soon 

15 * 



tiB LIFE AND VOYAGES 

filled with water. Thatched cabins were tlien erected 
at the prow and stern to sh*:!lter the crews, and the wreck 
was placed in the best possible state of defence. 

5i No one was permitt(;d to g-o on sliore without 
especiaj license, and the utmost precaution was taiien to 
prevcTit any offence beino- g-iven to the Indians, wlio 
soon swarmed to the harbour witl) provisions, as any ex- 
asperation of them miglit be fatal to the Spaniards in 
their piesent forlorn situation. Two persons were ap- 
pointed to superintend all barg-aans, and the provisions 
thus obtained were divided every evening among the 
people. 

6. As the immediate neighbourhood, however,, might 
soon be exJiansted, the zealous and intrepid Diego Men- 
dez made a tour in the interior, accompanied by three 
men, andmade arrangements for tlie caciques at a dis- 
tance to furnish dally supplies at the harbour, in exchange 
for European tnnkets. He returned in a canoe which 
he had purcliased fi-om the Indians, and \\ hich he had 
freighted with provisions, and tlrrough his able arrange- 
ment the Spaniards were regularly supplied. 

7. The immediate wants of his poople being thus pro- 
vided for, Columbus revolved in his anxious mind the 
means of getting from Ibis island. His ships Wv3r'; be- 
yond the possibility of re])a;r, and there was no hi)pe of 
a chance sail arrivino- to his relief, on the shores of a 
sava.o'e island, in an unfrequr'nted sea. At length, a mode 
of relief occurred to him, through the means of this 
same Diego Mcndoz whose courage and loyalty he had 
so o-ften proved. He took him aside to sound him on the 
subject, and Mend;v. himself has written an account of 
this interestinof conversation, which is full of character. 

8. '^ D-iego Meiulez, my son," said t'le venerablo admi- 
ral, "of all those Vv'ho are here, you and lalone know the 
great peril in wliich we are placed. We are f^w in 
number, and these savage Indians are many, and of ^ckle 
and irritable natures. On the least provocation they 
may throw firebrands from the shore, and consume us in 
our stravv'-thatched cabins. 

9. *' The arrangement which you have made for pro- 
visions, and which at present they fulfil so cheerfully, 



OF COLUMBUS. 171 

they may capriciously break to-morrov/-, and may refuse 
to bring us any thing- ; nor Jiave \vc tiie nrcai^s of com- 
pelling- them. I have thought of a remedy-, if it meets 
your vievis. In this cano .' w!iJc!i you have purchased, 
some ©ne may pass over 1« Hispaniola, and procure a 
ship, by whicli we shall ail be delivered from this g4*eat 
peril. Tell me your opinion on the matter." 

I'O. ^ Senior," replied Diego Mendcz,-*' J well know our 
danger to be far greater than is easily conceived ; but as 
to f>assing to Hispaniola in so small a vessel as a canoe, 
I hold it not merely difficult, but impossible, since it is 
necessary ta traverse a gulf of forty leagnes, and between 
islands where the sea is impetuous and seldom in repose^ 
I know not who there is would venture upon so extreme 
a peril." 

11. Columbus made no reply ; but from his looks, and 
the nature of his silence, IMendez plainly perceived him- 
self to be the person whom the adnnral had in view. Re- 
siftning, therefore, the conversation, " Senior," said he, 
"I have many times put my life in peril to save you and 
my comrades, and God has hitherto preserved me in a 
miraculous manner. There are, nevertheless, murmur- 
ers, who say that your Excellency intrusts to me every 
affair wherein honour is to be gained, while there are 
others in company who would exi^cute them as well as L 
I beg, therefore, that you vvould assemble the people, and 
propose this enterprise, to see if any one will undertake 
it, which I doubt. If all decline, I will then come for- 
ward and risk my life in' youir service, as I have many 
times done already." 

12. The admiral willii'jgly humoured the wishes of the 
worthy Mendez. On the following morning the crew 
was assembled, and the proposition made. Every one 
drew back, pronouncing it the height of rashness. iJpon 
this Diego Mendez stepped forward. " Senior," said he, 
" I have but one life to lose, yet I am willing to venture 
it for your service, and for the good of all here present ; 
and I trust in the protection of God, which I have expe- 
rienced on eo many other occasions." 

13. Columbus embraced this zealous follower, who im- 
mediately set aboiJt preparing for the expedition. Draw- 



172 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

ing- his canoe on shore, he put on a false l:eel, and nailed 
weather-boards along- the bow and stern, to preveat the 
sea from breaking- over it. He then payed it with a coat 
of tar, fnrnislied it with a inast and sail, and put in pro- 
visions for himseh', a Spanish comrade, and six Indians. 

14. In the mean while, Cokujibus wrote a hotter to Ovan- 
do, g-overnor of Hispaniola, beg-g ing that a ship niigiit im- 
mediately be sent to bring him and his men to Hispanio- 
la ; and lie wrote anotii-i^r to the sovereigns, entreating for 
a ship to con.vey them from Hispaniola to Spahi. 

15. In this letter he gave a comprehensive account of 
his voyage, a'ld expressed liis opnuon that Veragua was 
the Aurea Chcrsonesus of the ancients. He supposed 
himself to have readied the coniines of the dominio-.is of 
the Grand Kb.au, and ollercd, if he lived to return to Spain, 
to conduct a mission thither to instruct that potentate in 
the Christian faith. 

IG. What an instance of soaring- enthusiasm and irre- 
pressible enterprise is liore exhibited ! At the time he 
was indulging these vision^, and proposing new and ro- 
mantic enter])rises, he was bioken down by age and in- 
firmities, racked by pain, confined to his bed, and shut up 
in a wreck on the coast of a remote and savage island. 

17. The despatches bem.g ready, Diego Mendez em- 
barked with his Spanish conn-.'ide and his six l.'idians, 
and coasted the isla:id eastward. Tiieir voyage was toil- 
some and perilous. When arrived at the end of the 
island, they were suddenly surrpunded and taken prison- 
ers by the Indians, who carried them three leagues into 
the interior, where they determined to kill them. 

18. A dispute arising about the division of the spoils, 
they agreed to snttle it, after the L^.dian fashion, by a 
game of ball. While thus engiiged, Diego Mendez es- 
caped, regained liis canoe, and made his way back to th^ 
harbour in it, alone, ai^er fifteen days' absence. 

19. Nothing daunted by the perils and hardships he 
had undergone, he offered to d.'^part immediately on a 
second attempt, provided he could ho escorted to the end 
of the island by an arnrnl force. His otfer was accept- 
ed, and Bartholomew Fi;vco, a Geno.^se, who had com- 
manded one of the caravels, and was strongly attached 



OF COLUMBUS. 173 

to the admiral, was associated with him m this second 
expedition, 

20. p]ach had a cano?, with six S])aniards and ten In- 
dians nnder liis co)nmand. On leaching Hispaniola, 
Fiesco was to return innnediately to Jamaica, to bring" 
tidings to tiie admiral of the safe arrival of his messen- 
ger; while Diei^o Meiidez was to proceed to San Do- 
rning-o, and, aftrr purchasing and despatching; a ship, was , 
to depart for Spain with the letter to the sov'ereig'ns. *■"' 

21. All arranofements heing made, the L^dians placed 
m the canoes a supply of cassava bread, and each his 
calabash of water. The Spaniards, bv"side their provi- 
sions, had each his sword and tar^-et. Tiio Adelantado^ 
with an armed band, kept pace with them along- the- 
coast, until they reached the end of the island, wlierev 
waiting for tin-ee days until the weather was perfectly- 
serene, they launched forth on the broad bosom of the 
sea. Tlis Adelantado remained watching- them uiitil they 
became mere specks on the ocean, and the evening hid 
them from his viow, and then returned to the harbour. 

— .e©9o — 

CHAPTER XLl. 

Mutiny of Porras. Eclipse of the Moon. Strafaffem of 
Columbus to procure supplies from the Indians. [1503.] 

1. Day afcer day, and week after week, did the poor 
Spsniards keep a wistful look out upon the sea, tor the 
expected return of Fiesco, flattering themselves that 
every canoe, gliding at a distance, might be the harbin- 
ger of deliverance. 

2. Months elapsed, liowever, without his arrival, and 
they began to fear that he and Mendez had perish- 
ed. Finfeebled by past sufferings, present confinement, 
and low diet, they became extremely sickly ; and their 
maladies were heightened by anxiety and suspense.. 
Some gradually sank into despondency ; others became- 
peevish and impatient, and, in their unreasonable heat,, 
railed at their venerable and mfirm commander as thft: 

fcause of alltheiB-misfortunes. 
15* 



174 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

3. Among the officers of Columbus were two brothers, 
Francisco and Diego Porras ; the Mrst a captain of a 
caravel, the other, notary and accountant g-oneral of the 
expedition. They were vain and insolent men, who had 
been appointed by Columbus to gratify their relative, the 
royal treasurer Morales. Like many others whom the 
admiral had beneficed, they requited his iiindness vv'ith 
the blackest ingratitude. 

4. Mingling with the people, they assured them that 
Columbus had no intention of returning to Spain, having 
in reality been banished thence by the sovereigns. His- 
paniola, they said, was equally closed against him, and it 
was his design to remain in Jamaica, until his friends 
could make interest at court to procure his recall. By 
these and other insidious suggestions, they gradually 
prepared the people for revolt. 

5. On the 2d of January, Francisco Porras suddenly 
entered the cabin v'here Columbus was confined to his 
bed by the gout, reproached him vehemently with keep- 
ing them in that desolate place to perish, and accused 
him of having no intention to return to Spain. The ad- 
miral raised himself in bed, and, maintaining his calm- 
ness, endeavoured to reason with the traitor ; but Porras 
was deaf to all argument. »' Embark innnodiately, or 
remain, in God's name \'^ cried he, with a voice that re- 
sounded all over the wpeck. "For my part, I am for 
Castile I those who choose may follow me !" 

6. This WES the signal. "For Castile! for Castile!" 
Was heard on every side. The mutineers sprang up on 
the most conspicuous parts of the vessel, brandishing their 
weapons, and amidst the uproar the voices of some des- 
peradoes were heard menacing the life of the admiral. 

•7. Columbus leaped out of bed, and tottered forth to 
pacify the mutineers, but was forced back into his cabin 
by some of his faithful adherents. The Adelantado sal- 
lied forth lance in hand, and planted himself in a situa- 
tion to take the whole brunt of the assault. It was with 
the greatest difficulty that several of the loyal part of the 
crev/ could restrain his fury, and prevail upon him to re- 
linquish his weapon, and retire to the cabin of his brother. 

8. The mutineers, bemg entirely unopposed, took ten \( 



OP COLUMBUS. 175 

canoes, which the admiral had purchased from the In- 
dians ; others, who had not been concerned in the mutiny, 
joined them, through fc-ar of reniainincr behind, when so 
reduced in nuTnber : in this way forty-eioht abandoned 
the admiral. Many of the sicii crawled forth from their 
cabins, and beheld their departure with tears and lamen- 
tations, and would gladly have accompanied them, had 
their strength permitted. 

9. Porras coasted with his squadron of canoes to the 
eastward, landing occasionally and robbing tlie natives, 
pretending to act under the authority of Columbus, that 
he might draw on him their hostility. Arrived at the 
east end of the island, he procured several Indians ^ 
manage the canoes, and then set out on his voyage across 
the gulf. 

10. The Spaniards had scarcely proceeded four leagues, 
when the wind came ahead, with a swell of the sea, that 
threatened to overwhelm the deeply laden canoes. They 
immediately turned for land, and in their alarm threw 
overboard the greater part of their effects. 

11. The danger still continuing, they drew their 
swords, and compelled most of the Indians to leap into 
the sea. The latter were skilful swimmers, but the dis- 
tance to land v/as too great for their strength ; if however 
they at any time took hold of the canoes to rest them- 
selves and recover breath, the Spaniards, fearful of their 
overturning the slight barks, would stab them or cut off 
their hands. Some were thus slain by the sword, others 
sank exhausted beneath the waves; eighteen perished 
miserablj% and none survived but a few who had been 
retained to manage the canoes. 

12. Having reached the shore in safety, Porras and 
his men waited until the weather became favourable, and 
then made another effort to cross to Hispaniola, but with 
no better success. They then abandoned the attempt in 
despair, and returned westward, roving from village to 
village, and living upon the provisions of the Indians, 
which they took by force if not readily given. If the na- 
tives remonstrated, they told them to seek redress at the 
hands of the admiral, whom, at the same time, they 
fepreseuted as the implacable foe of the Indian nee, 



176 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

and bent upon gaininof a tyrannical sway over their 
island. 

13. In the mean time, Columbus, left in the wreck with 
a mere handful of svck and dosponaing- men, exerted 
himself to the utmost to restoro t'-em to litmlth and 
6i)irits. He ordered that the small slock of biscuit 
which remained, and the most noar;shir,2f provisions fur- 
nished by ihe Indians, shonki bo appiopiiatfd to the in- 
valids : he visited tlicmx individually, cheered them vv-ith 
hopes of speedy deliverance, a.nd promised that on his 
return to Spain he would intercede with the sovereigns, 
that their loyalty miii-ht be munificently rewarded. In 
thif wa3% by kind and careful treatmnntand encouraoing- 
words, he succeeded in rendering them once more iit for 
service. 

14. Scarcel)'-, however, had the little garrison recover- 
ed from the shock of the mutiny,- when it was menaced 
by a new and appalling evil. The Indians grew negli- 
gent in furnishing provisions. The European trinkets, 
once so inestimable in their eyes, had sunk in value, by 
becoming conmion. Many of the caciques were incensed 
by the conduct of Porras and his followers, which they 
supposed justified by the adm.iral ; others were secretly 
instigated by the rebels to withhold su})plies, in hopes of 
starving Co'unibus and his people, or of driving them 
from the island. 

15. Tlie horrors of famine began to threaten, when a 
fortunate idea presented its(-lf to Columbus. From his 
knowledge of astronomy, he ascertained that within three 
daya ther*^ would be a total eclipse of the moon, in the 
early pan of the night. He summoned, therefore, the 
principal caciques to a grand conference, appointing for 
it the dav of the eclipse. 

16. When all were assembled, he told tliem by his in- 
terpreter, that he and his followers were worshippers of 
a Deity who lived in the skies ; that this great Deity 
was incensed afjainst the Indians for neglecting to fur- 
nish his faithful worshippers with provisions, and intend, 
ed to chastise them with famine and pestilence. Lest 
they should disbelieve tins warning, a signal would be 
given tliat very night in the heavens,. They would be- 



OF COLUMBUS. 17^ 

hold the moon chang-e its colour, and gradually lose it» 
light ; a token of the fearful punishment which awaited 
them. 

17. Many of the Indians were alarmed at the predic- 
tion, others treated it with derision ; all, however, await- 
ed with so;:ciUide the coming of the niglit. When they 
beheld a black shadow stealing over the moon, and a 
gloom cov-ering- the face of nature, tliey were seized with 
the utmoot consternation. Hurrying with provisions to 
the sJiips, and throwing themselves at the feet of Coium- 
bus, they implored iiirn to intercede with liis God to with- 
hold the threatened calamities, assaring him that thence- 
forth they would bring hun whatever he required. 

18. Columbus retired to li;s cabin, under pretence of 
communing with the Deity, tiie forests and shores all the 
while resounding with the bowlings of tlie savages. He 
returned shorrly, a!ul informed them that the Deity had 
deigned to pardon them, on condition of their fidfilling 
their promises, in sign of which he would^ withdraw the 
darkness from the me,on. 

19. When tlie IiKiians saw that planet resto^d pre- 
sently to its brightness, and rolling in all its beauty 
through tlie firmament, they overwhehiied the admiral 
with thaniis for his intercession. They now regarded 
him with awe and reverence, as one enjoying the pecu- 
liar favour and confidence of the Deity, since he kneW' 
upon earth wdmt was passing in the lieavens. They 
hastened to propitiate Inni with gifts ; supplies again ar- 
rived daily at the harbour, and from tliat time forward 
there was no want of provisions. 

— ,«©©«^ 

CHAPTER XUl. 

Arrival of Diego de Escohai- at the Harbour. Battle with 
the Rebels. [1504.] 

1. Eight months had now elapsed since the depap. 
ture of Mendez and Fiesco, yet no tidings had been re- 
ceived of their fate. The hopes of the most sanguine 



178 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

were nearly extinct, and manj% coiisitiering themselves 
abandened and forg-otten by the world, grew wild and 
desperate. Another conspiracy was on the point of 
breaking- out, wiien 'one evening, towards dusk, a small 
caravel was seen oiT the Jiarbour. 

2. It kept out at sea, and sent its boat on shore. In 
this came Diego de Escobar, one of the late confederates 
of Roldau, who Ijad been condonmed to death under the 
administration of Columbus, and pardoned by Bobadilla. 
There was bad omen in such a messenger. 

3. Escobar was tlie bearer of a letter from Ovando, ac- 
companied by a barrel of wine and a side of bacon. The 
governor expressed great concern at the misfortunes c^ 
the admiral, and regret at not having in port a vessel of 
sufficient size to bring off liimsei'f and people, but pro- 
raised to send one as soon as pessible, 

4. Escobar drew off with the boat, and kept at a dis- 
tance awaiting the admiral's reply, and holding no con- 
versation with any of the Spaniards. Columbus wrote 
to Ovando, depicting the horrors of his situation, and 
urging flie promised relief. As soon as Escobar receiv- 
ed this letter, he returned on board of his caravel, which 
made all sail, and disappeared in the gathering gloom of 
the' night. 

5. The mysterious conduct of Escobar caused surprise 
and uneasiness among the people, l)ut Columbus cheered 
them with assurances that ships would soon be sent to 
take them away. He was secretly, however, indignant 
at the conduct of Ovando, believing that he had purpose- 
ly delayed sending relief, in the hopes that he would 
perish on the island, and that Escobar was a spy, sent 
to ascertain whether he and his crew were yet in ex- 
istence. 

6. Still he endeavoured to turn the event to advan- 
tage, and sent two of his people to inform the rebels 
of the promised relief, and offer them a free pardon, and 
a passage to Hispaniola, on condition of their immediate 
return to obedience. 

7. Porras received the messengers apart from his men, 
and accompanied solely by a few of the ringleaders. He 
treated the generous offer of Columbus with insolence. 



OF COLUMBVS* 179 

demanding', as terms of peace, that one half of the ac- 
ccminodation of the shipping- that should arrive should 
be ass^igried to his pitrty ; and that, in the mean time, the 
admiral sliould share with them the sea stores and goods 
whicii remained in his possession. When these demands 
were objected to, he repHod that, if not peaceably con- 
ceded, they would be taken by force ; and with this me- 
nace he dismissed the messengers. 

8. Finding that his men were moved by the offer of 
pardon and deliverance, he assured them these oifers 
were mere artifices of Columbus, to get them into his 
power. That the pretended caravel was a phantasm 
conjured up by the admiral, who was deeply versed in 
magic. In proof of this, he adverted to its mysterious 
movements, arriving in the dusk of the evening, holding 
communication with no one but Columbus, and suddenly 
disappearing in the night. 

9. " Had it been a real caravel," said he, " the crew 
would have sought to converse with their countrymen ; 
the admiral, his son, and brother would have embarked 
on board ; at any rate, it vvovild have remained a little 
while in port, and not have vanished so suddenly and 
mysteriously." 

10. Having by these and similar delusions encou- 
raged them to persist in their rebellion, he marched 
them one day towards the harbour, to seize upon the 
stores remaining in the wreck, and to get tite admiral 
in his power. 

11. Cohimhns heard of their approach, but being con- 
fin-od by his infirmities, sent Don Bartliolomew to reason 
with them, and endoavour to win them to obedience. 
The Adelantado, who was generally a man rather of 
deeds than words, took with him fifty men well armed. 
Arriving near the rebels, he sent messengers to treat with 
them ; hut Porras forbade them to approach. 

12. The latter cheered his followers by pointing, with 
derision, to the pale countenances of their opponents, who 
were emaciated by recent sickness and long confinement 
in the wreck ; whereas his men,. for the most part, were 
'^irdy sailors, rendnred robust by living in the open air. 
He assured them the followers of the Adelantado werg^- 



180 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

mere household men, fo,ir weather troops, who could never 

Btand before them. 

13. He did not reflect, that with such men pride and 
spirit often more than supply the place of bodily force, 
and thai his adversaries had the incalculable advantage 
of justice and law upon their side. 

14. Deluded by his v;ords into a transient glow of cou. 
rage, the rebels did not wait to be attacked, but rushed 
with shouts upon the enemv. Six of 'them had made a 
league to assault the Adelantado, but were so well receiv- 
ed tiiat he laid several of them dead at his feet, among 
whom was Juan Sa.ncliez, the same powerful mariner 
who had carried off the cacique Quibian. 

15. In the midst of the afiray, tiie Adelantado was as- 
sailed by Francisco do Porras, who, Vvith a blow of hia 
sword, cleft his buckler, and wounded the {^.and v/liich 
grasped it. Tiie sword remained wedged in the shield, 
and before it could be withdrawn, the Adelantado closed 
upon Porras, grappled hin), and, being assisted by others, 
succeedrd in taking hiin prisoner. 

IG. The rebels, seeing their leader a captive, fled in 
confusion, but were not pursued, through fear of an attack 
from the Indians, wiio had remained drawn up in battle 
array, gazing with astonishment at tliis fight between 
white men, but without ofiering to aid either party. The 
Adelantado returned in triumph to the wreck, v/ith Por- 
ras and several other prisoners. Only two of his own 
men had been wounded, one of whom died. 

17.> On the following day, the rebels sent a letter to 
the admiral, signed with all their names, confessing their 
misdeeds, ininloring pardon, and making a solemn oath 
of obedience ; imprecating the most awful curses on their 
hea-ds should they break it. The admiral saw, by the ab- 
ject nature of the letter, hovv completely the spirit of 
these misguided men was broken ; with his wonted mag- 
nanimity he pardoned thoir oiTences, merely retaining 
their ringlr^ader, Friincisco Porras, a prisoner, to be triee 
in Spam for his nusdecds. 



CF COLUMBUS. |$1 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

Voyage of Diego Mendez to Hispaniola. Deliverance of 
Columbus frcm the Island of Jamaica. [1504.] 

1. It is proper hore to give some account of tlie mis- 
sion of Dieg'o Mondez iind Bartholoniew Fiesco. When 
they had taken leave of the Adeianlado at the cast end 
of the island of Jamaica, they cotitinued all day in a di- 
rect course ; there was no wuid, the sky was without a 
cloud, and the sea like a mirror reflecting- the burning" 
rays of the sun. The India] js who paddkd the canoes 
would often leap into th(^ water to cool their glowing 
bodies, and refresh themselves from their toil. 

2. At the going' dowu of the sun they lost sight of 
land. During the night the Indians toolv turns, one half 
to rov/ while the otliers slept. The Spaniards, in like 
manner, divided tlnnr f||ces ; while some took repose, 
the others sat with their' weapons in their hands, ready 
to defend themselves in case of any perfidy on the part 
of their savage companions. 

3. Watcinng and toiling in tliis way through the night, 
tliey were excessively fatigued on tlie following day, and 
began to experience the torments of thirst, for the In- 
dians, parched witli heat, iiad already drained the con- 
tents of their calabashes. In proportion as the sun rose, 
their misery increased, and was irritated by the prospect 
around them— nothing but water, while they were perish- 
ing with thirst. 

4. About midday, when their strength was failing' 
Ihem, the commanders produced two small kegs of wa- 
ter, which they had reserved in secret for such an extre- 
mity. Administering a cooling mouthfd occasionally, 
they enabled the Indians to resume their toils. They 
held out the hopes of soon arriving at a small island, 
called Navasa, which lay directly in their way, about 
eight leagues distant from Hispamola. Here they would 
find water to assuage their thirst, and would be able to 
take repose. 

5. Tne night closed upon them without any sight W 

16 



182 LIBB AND VOYAGES 

the island ; tney feared that they had deviated from their 
course; jf so, they should miss tke island entirely, and 
perish with thirst before they could reach Hispaniola. 
One of the Indians died of the accumulated suffenncra of 
labour,, heat, and raging thirst; others lay panting and 
gasping at the bottom of the canoes. Their companions 
were searceiy able to continue their toils. Sometimes 
they endeavoured to cool their parched palates by taking 
sea water in their mouths, but its briny bitterness only 
increased their tliirst. One aftc^r anoti.er gave up^ and 
it seemed impossible that they should live to reach His- 
paniola. 

6. The commanders* by admirable management, had 
hitiierto kept up this weary struggle with suffering and 
despair ; but they too began to despond. Diego Mendez 
eat watching the horizon, which was gradually lighting 
up with those faint rays which precede the rismg of the 
moon. As that planet arose, he perceived it to emerge 
from behind a dark mass, v.'!ii|^ proved to be the island 
of Navasa, but so low, and small, and distant, that, Irad 
it not been thus revealed by tlie rising moon, he would 
never have discovered it. He immediately gave the 
animating cry of "land." His almost expiring com- 
panions were roused to new life, and exerted themselves 
Wiith f jverish impatience. 

7. By dawn of day they sprang on shore, and returned 
thanks to God for their deliverance. The island was a 
mere barren mass of rocks, but they found abundance of 
rain water in hollow places. The Spaniards exercised 
sonic degree oi' caution in their draughts : hut the poor 
Indians, whose toils had increased 'lie fever of their 
thirsi, gav"> way to a kind of frantic indulgence, of 
which several died upon the spot, and others fell dan- 
gerously ill. 

8. After reposing all dav on the island, and feasting 
upon shell- fish gatb.ered along the shore, thpy set off in 
the evening for Hispaniola, the mountains of which were 
distinctly visible, and arrived at Capo Tibm-on on the 
following day, the fourth since their departure from .Ja- 
maica. Fit SCO wou'd now have n-turneti to give the 
admiral assurance of the safe arrival of his messenger, 



OF COLUMBUS, 183 

l^ut both Spaniards and Indians refused to encounter the 
perils of another voyage in th(3 canoes. 

9. Parting" with his companions, Diego Mendez took 
six Indians of the island, and set o)f for San Doming-o. 
After proceeding for eighty leagues against the currents, 
he was informed that the governor had departed for Xa- 
ragua,, fifty ieagues distant. 8tili undaunted by fatigues 
and difficulties, he abandoned the canoe, and proceeded 
alone, on foot, througii forests and over mountains, until 
he arrived atXaragua, achieving one of the most perilous 
expeditions ever undertaken by a devoted follower for 
the safely of his commander. 

10. He found Ovando completely engrossed by wars, 
with the natives. Trie governor e.xpressed great con- 
cern at the unfortunate situation of Columbus, and pro- 
mised to send him immediate relief; but Mendez remain- 
ed for seven months at Xaragua, vaii^Jy urging for that 
relief, or for permission to go to San Domingo in quest 
of it. Th.e constant excuse of Ovando v/as, that there 
were not ships of sufficient burden in ihe island to bring 
off Columbus and his men. 

11. At length, by daily importunity, Mendez obtained 
permission to go to San Domingo, and await tlie arrival 
of certain ships whicb Vvere expected. Ho immediately 
set out on foot ; the distance Vv-as seventy leagues, and 
part of his toilsome joumoy lay through forests and moun- 
tains, infested by hostile and exasperated Indians. Im- 
mediately after his departure, Ovando despatched from 
Xaragua the pardoned rebel, Escobar, on that reconnoi- 
tring visit which caused so much wonder and suspicion 
ajnong the com.panions of Columbus. 

1.2. If the governor had really entertained hopes that,, 
during the delay of reliet^ Columbus might perish in the 
island, the report brought back by Escobar m.ust have 
completely disappointed him. No time was now to he 
lost, if he wished to claim any merit in his deliverance, 
or to, avoid the disgracv? of having totally neglected 
him, His long delay had already roused the public 
indignation, insomuch that animadversions had been 
made upon his conduct even in the pulpits. Diega 
Mendez, also, had hired and victuailed a vessel at the 



181 LIFK IND VOY\CtC8 

expense of Columbus, and was on the point of despatch, 
in^it. 

13. The governor, therefore, eA'efled himself, at the 
eleventh hour, and fitted out a caravel, which he put un- 
der the conmiand'of Diego de Salcedo, the agent em- 
ployed by Colunihus to collect his rents in San Domingo. 
These two vessels arrived at Jamaica shortly after the 
battle with Porras, and brought relief to the admiral and 
his faithful adherents,' aftel: a long year of dismal confine- 
mem to the wrecks 

14. On the 2Sth of .Tune, all the Spaniards embarked, 
friend and foe, on board of the vessels, arid made sail joy- 
flilly for San Domingo ; but, from adverse v/inds and 
currents, they did not arrive there until the 13th of Au- 
gust. What^'3ver lurking enmity there miglit be to Co- 
lumbus in the plac;?, it Was overpowered by popular sym- 
pathy for his late disasters. 

15. The governor and the principal inhabitants 6ame 
forth to meet Jiim, and received him with signal distinc- 
tion. He was lodged in the house of Ovando, who treat- 
ed him with the utmost courtesy and attention ; but 
there were too deep causes of jealousy and distrust be- 
tween them for their intercourse to be cordial. Their 
powers, too, were so defined in their se^:.9ra] patents, as 
to clash with each other, and to cause questions of 
jurisdiction. 

16. Ovando assumed a right to take cognisance of all 
transactions at Jamaica, as happening within the limits 

* Some brief notire of the further fortunes of Diego Mendez may be in- 
teresting to the rnaih-r. 

Wlien King Ferdinand heard of his faithful services, he bestowed re- 
wards upon him, and permitted hihito bear a canoe in his roat of arms, 
as a memento of his hardy enterprise. He continued devotedly attached 
to the ad'niral, serving liim zenlouslv after his return to Spain, and during 
hie last illness. Colfemhus retaineu a <jrptefiil and affectionate sense of 
his fidelity. On his doalhlicd, ho promised Mendez that he should be ap- 
pointed principal alguazil of the island of Hi^paniola. The promise, how- 
ever, was not perfofmed by tlie heirs of Columbns. Mendez v/as after- 
wards engaged in vaiious voyages of discovery, met with many vicissi- 
tudes, and died poor. In his last wii!, he requested that his armorial 
bearing of an Indian canoe should be engraved on his ton)bstonc, and 
under it the following words- : " Here lies the honourable Cavalier, Diego 
Mendez; who served greatly the royal crown of Spain, in the conquest 
cf the Indies, with Admiral Chri.-topher Columbus, of glorious memory, 
who made the discovery; and afterwards by him&elf, in ships at his ow» 
cost. Bestow, in charity, a pater ooater anid an ave-maria." 



or COLVMBU8. 185 

of his gfovemment. He set at liberty the^traitor Porras, 
and talked of punishing the followers of Columbus for the 
deaths of the mutineers whom they had slain in battle. 

17. Columbus, on the other hand, asserted the absolute 
jurisdiction given him by the sovereigns, in his Ifitter of 
instructions, over all persons who sailed in his expedi- 
tion, from the time of their departure from Spain until 
their return. 

18. The governor heard him with great courtesy and 
a smiling countenance, but obsen'ed, that the letter gave 
him no authority within the bounds of his government. 
He relinquished the idea, however, of trying the faithful 
adherents of Columbus, and sent Porras to Spain, to be 
examined by the board which had charge of the affairs 
of the Indies. 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

Affairs at Hispaniola during the AtJmimstration of Ovaru 
do. Return of Cvlumbvs io Spain. [1504.] 

1. Let us here turn for a luomc nt from pursuing the 
story of the admiral, to notice some of tlie principal oc- 
currences which had taken place in Kispaniola during 
the absence of Columbus. 

2. A great crowd of adventurers, of various ranks, had 
thronged the fleet of Ovando, all confidently expecting 
to make sudden fortunes. They h.ad scarcely landed 
when they all hurried oif to the mii.es, wh.ich vvere about 
eight leagues distant. The road swarmed like an 
ant-hill. Every one had his knapsack of biscuit and 
flour, and his mining implements on his shoulder. 

3. Those hidalgos, or gentlemen, who iiad no servants 
to carry their burdens, were fain to bear t'liom on their 
own backs, and lucky was he who had a horse for the 
expedition, for he would be able to bring bacK the greater 
load of treasure. 

4. They all set oif in high spirits, eager who should 
first reach the golden land ; thinking they had but to ar- 



186 LIFE AND VOVAGfiS 

rive at the mine?, and gatlier gold, as easily and readily 
as fruit from the trees. Wlien they arrived, however, 
they found, to their dismay, that it required experience 
to disco\^r the veins of ore ; that the whole process of 
mining was excecding-ly slow and toilsome, and its re- 
Bults precarious. 

5. They dig-ged eagerly for a time, but found no ore -; 
growing- hungry, they threw by their implements, sat 
down to eat, and then returned to work. It was all in 
vain. "Their labour," t?ays Las Casas, "gave them a 
keen appetite and quick digestion, but no gold." They 
soon exhausted tiieir provisions and their patience, and 
returned to San Domingo half famished, downcast, and 
despairing. Poverty soon fell upon these misguided 
men. Some wasted away, and died broken-hearted; 
others were hurried off by raging fevers; so that there 
soon perished upwards of a thousand men. 

6. Ovando was reputed a man of great prudence and 
sagacity, and he certainly took several, judicious measares 
for the regulation of the island and the relief of the colo- 
nists ■; but his policy was fatal to the iiatives. When he 
had been sent out to supersede Bobadilla, the queen, 
shocked at the cruel bondage whicli had been inflicted 
on tiie Indians, had pronounced them all free. The 
consequence was, they immediately refused to labour in 
the mines, 

7. Ovando, in 1503, represented, that this entire lib- 
'^rty granted to the natives, produced habits of idleness, 
profligacy, and neglect of all religion. The sovcreignis 
permitted, therefore, that they should be obliged tolabbiiir 
moderately, if essential to their well-being, but that tliey 
should be paid regularly and fairly, and instructed ih 
religion. 

8. Under cover of this hired labour, thus intended fot- 
the health of soul and body, more intolerable toil was ex- 
acted from them, and more hort-ible cruelties inflicted, 
than in the worst days of Bobadilla. Many perished from 
hunger, or sunk under the lash ; many killed themseivea 
in despair*; and even mothers overcame the powerful 
instinct of nature, and destroyed the infants at their 
breasts, to spare them a life of wretchedness. 



OP COLUMBUS. 187 

9. Even those who survived the exacted terms of labour, 
and were permitted to return to their homes, which v/ere 
often sixty and eio-hty leagues distant, were dismissed so 
worn down by toil and h.ardship, and so scantily furnish- 
ed with provisions, that they perished by the way. Some 
sank down and died by the side of a brook, others under 
the shade of a tree, where they had ci-awled for shelter 
from the sun. 

10. " I have found many dead •on t^^e toad," says the 
venerable Bishop Las Casas ; " others grasping under the 
trees, and others in the pangs of death, faintly crying", 
Hunger ! hunger !" 

11. The Wars of Ovando were equally desolating. To 
punish a slight insurrection in the p^vince of Higuey, 
at the eastern end of the island, he sent his troops, who 
ravaged the country with 'fire and sword, showed no 
mercy to age or sex, put iriany to death with the most 
<vanton, ingenious:^ and Horrible tortures, and brought off 
the brave Cotabanama, one of the five sovereign caciques 
6f the island, in chai»is to San Domingo, where he was 
ignominiously hanged for the crime of defending his ter- 
ritory and his native soil against usurping' strangers. 

12. But the most atrocious act of OVAndo, was the 
punishment he inflicted on the province of Xaragua. 
The exiictions 6f tribute in this once happy and hospita- 
ble province had caused occasional quarrels between the 
inferior caciques and the Spaniards : these were magni- 
fied by alarmists, and Ovando was persuaded that there 
Was a deep-laid pl^t among the natives to rise upon their 
oppressors. 

. 13. He immediately set Out for Xaragua, at the head 
6f nearly four hundred well-armed soldiers, seventy of 
whonl were steel-clad horsemen. He gave out that he 
was going on a visit of friendship, to make arrangements 
about the payment of tribute. 

14. Behechio, the ancient cacique of the province, was 
dead, and his sister, Anacaona, had succeeded to the 
government. She came forth to meet Ovando, attended 
by her most distinguished subjects, and her train of dam» 
eels, waving palm branches, and dancing to the cadence 
of their popular areytOB. All her princrpal caciques ha4 



188 LIFE AND VOTA6K9 

been assembled to do honour to her guests, who for seve- 
ral days were entertained with banquets and national 
games and dances-. 

15. In return for these exhibitions, Ovando invited 
Anacaona, with her beautiful daug-liter Higuenamota, and 
her principal subjects, to '"'tness a tilting match by the 
cavalry in the public square. When all v/ere assembled, 
he gave a signal, and instantly the horsemen rushed into 
the midst of the naked and defenceless throng, trampling 
them under foot, cutting them down witli their swords, 
transfixing them with their lances, and sparing neither 
age nor sex. 

16. About eighty caciques were surrounded in one of 
the principal houses, bound to the posts which supported 
the roof, and put to cruel tortures, until, in the extremity 
of anguisli, they were made to admit the truth of the plot 
with which their queen and themselves had been charged. 
When self-accusation had thus been tortured from them, 
lire was set to the iiouse, and they all perished miserably 
in the flames. 

17. As to Anacaona, she was carried to San Domingo, 
where the mockery of a trial was given her, in which she 
was found guilty, on the confessions wrung by torture 
from hor subjects, and on the testimony of their butchers, 
and she was barbarously hanged by the people whom she 
had so long and so signally befriended. 

18. After the massacre at Xaragua, the destruction of 
its inhabitants still went on ; they were hunted for six 
months amidst the fastnesses of the mountains, and their 
country ravaged, until, all being reduced to deplorable 
miser}- and abject submission, Ovando pronounced the 
province restored to order, and, in commemoration of his 
triumph, founded a town near the lake, which he called 
St. Mary of the True Peace.* 

19. Such was the tragical fate of the beautiful Ana- 
caona, once extolled as tlie Golden Flower of Hayti ; 
and such the story of the delightful region of Xamgua ; 
a place which the Europeans, by their own account, 
found a perfect paradise, but which, by their vile pas- 
sions, they fdled with horror and desolation. 

* Santa Maria dc la Verdadcra Pax 



ov coLUMBua. 189 

20. These are but brief and scanty anecdotes of the 
ruthless system pursued, during- the absence of the ad- 
miral, by the commander Ovando, this man of boasted 
prudence and moderation, who had been sent to reform 
\he abuses of the island, and above all to redress the 
wrongs of the natives. 

21. The system of Columbus may have borne hard 
upon the Indians, born and brought up as they were in 
untasked freedom, but it was never cruel or sanguinary. 
He had fondly hoped, at one time, to render them civi- 
lized and industrious subjects to the crov/n, and zealous 
converts to the faith, and to derive from their regular 
tt-ibutes a great and steady revenue. 

22. How different had b"een the event ! The five great 
tribes which had peopled the mountains and the valleys, 
at the time of the discovery, and had rendered by their 
mingled villages and hamlets, and tracts of cultivation, 
the rich levels of the vega,s so many " painted gardens," 
had almost all passed away, and the native princes had 
perished chiefly by violent and ignominious deaths. 

23. " I am informed," said he, in a letter to the sove- 
reigns, «' that since I left this island, six parts out of seven 
of the natives are dead, all through ill-treatment and in- 
humanity ; some by the sv\-ord, others by blows and cruel 
usage, others through hunger ; the greater part have 
perished in the mountains, whither they had fled, from 
not being able to support the labour imposed upon them.'* 

24. He found his own immediate concerns in great 
confusion. His rents and arrears were either uncollected, 
or he could not obtain a clear account and a full liquida- 
tion of them. The continual misunderstandings which 
took place between him and the governor, induced Co- 
lumbus to hasten his departure. He caused the ship in 
which he had returned from Jamaica to be repaired and 
fitted out, and another hired, in which he offered a passage 
to such of his late crews as chose to return. 

25. The greater part preferred to remain in San Do-v 
mingo : as they were in great poverty, he relieved their 
necessities from his own purse, and advanced money to 
those who accompanied him for the expenses of their 
voyage. All the funds he could collect were exhausied 



}^ IjIFK AND VOYAGES 

m these disbursemgnts, and many of the men thus re* 
lieve4 by his generosity liad been among the most violent 
of the rebels. 

26, On the 12th of September he set sail, but had: 
scarcely left the harbour when the mast of liis ship was. 
carried away in a sudden squall. He embarked, there-^ 
fore, with his family in tiie other vessel, commanded by 
the Adelantado, and sent back the damaged sliip to port. 
Fortune continued to persecute )um to the end of this 
his last and most disastrous expedition. 

27. Throughout the voyage he experienced tempestuous 
weather, suffering at the same time the excruciating tor- 
ments of the gout, until, on the 7tli of November, his 
crazy and shattered bark anchored in the harbour of Sarr, 
Lucar. From thence he proceeded to Seville, to enjoy 
a little tranquillity of mind and body, and to recruit his. 
health after his long series of fatigues, anxieties, and; 
hardships. 

CHAPTER XLV. 

Fruitless solicitations of Columbus to be reinstaied in. his. 
Government. His last illness and death. [1504.] 

1. The infirmities of Conumbug v,^ere too great to 
permit him to proceed to court, and he passed the winter 
at Seville, in a state of bodily and mental suffering. 
Care and sorrow were destined to follow him by sea .and 
land ; and in clianging the scene, he but changed the 
nature of his alHictions. 

2. His affairs were all in confusion ; and liad been so 
ever since his arrest by Bobadilla. His revenues arising 
in San Domingo were not rendered to him ; and his re- 
cent disastrous voyage had involved him in €xpenses,.for 
the greater part of which the crown remained his debtor. 

3. In a letter to his son Diego he urges him to extreme- 
economy. "I receive nothing of the revenue due to 
me," says he, "but live by borrowing. Little have I 
profited by twenty years oftoils and perils, since ac pre- 
sent I do not own a roof iii Spam. I have no resort but 



OP COLUMBUS. 191 

an inn, and, for the most timo, have not wherewithal to 
pay my bill." 

4. He wrote repeatedly to the sovereigns, and em- 
ployed tJie mediatio;! of friends, to obtain the restitation 
of his ofHcia! honours, the setllement of liis accounts, and 
the relief of the seaint-n who had sailed with him in his 
last voyag-e. His letters remained unanswered, his 
claims unsatisfied, and a cold indifference prevailed with 
respect to him. Finding the inefficacy of letters, he at- 
tempted to set OiTfbr court in a litter; but his increasing 
maladies, and the inclemency of the season, obliged him 
to abandon the journey. 

5. In the mean time, the intrigues of his enemies were 
prevailing. Porras, the ringleader of the late faction, had 
been sent home for trial, but he went at large, favoured 
by his relati\e Morales, the royal treasurer, through 
whose means he obtained access to people in place, and 
an opportunity to enlist their opinions and prejudices on 
his side. 

6. Columbus folt deeply the slights and neglects of tha 
cold hearted Ferdinand, and rested all his hopes of re- 
dress on the justice and magnanimity of Isabella. His 
reliance would not have been in vain, but during the time 
of his solicitation she had lain dangerously ill. 

7. " May it please the Holy Trinity," said he, in a 
letter to his son, "to restore our sovereign queen to 
health ; for by her every thing will be adjusted that is 
now in confusion." Alas! at the time he was writing 
that iPtter his noble benefactress lay a corpse ! 

8. Tiie h.eaith of Isabella had long been undermined 
by repeated slsocks of domestic calamity. The deaths 
oftwoof her favourite children, and of her grandson and 
heir, together with the infirmity of intellect and conjugal 
unbappiness of her daughter Juana, wife of the Archduke 
Philip, were cruel wounds to her maternal heart. 

9. The desolatioT which walks through palaces ad- 
mits not the familiar sympatiiies and sweet consolations 
which alleviate the sorrows of common life. Isabella 
pined in state, amidst the homage of a caur^ surrounded 
by the trophies of a glorious and successful reign^ and 
placed at ihe summit of earthly grandeur. 



192 LIPB AND VOYAGES 

10. A deep and incurable melancholy settled upon her 
which undermined her constitution, and gave a fatal 
acutensss to her bodily maladies. After four months of 
illness, she died in the fifty-fourth year of her age ; but, 
long- before Jier eyes closed upon the world, her heart had 
-dosed upon all its pomps and vanities. 

11. " Lot my body," said she, in her v/ill, " be interred in 
the monastery of San Francisco, in the alhambra of the 
city of Granada, in a low sepulchre, with no other monu- 
ment than a plain stone, and an inscription. But I desire 
and command, that if the king, my lord, should choose a 
sepulchre in any cLurcli or monastery, in any other part 
or place of these my kingdo<ns, that my body be trans- 
ported thither, and buried beside the body of his highness ; 
so that the union we have enjoyed while living, and 
which, through the mercy of God, we hope our souls will 
experience in heaven, may be represented by our bodies 
in the earth."* 

12. Such was one of several passages in the will of 
this admirable woman, which bespol:e the cliastened 
humility of her heart, and in which, as has been well ob- 
eerved, the affections of conjugal love were delicately 
entwined with fervent religion and the most tender 
melancholy. 

13. She was one of the purest spirits that ever ruled 
over the dostinios of a nation. Had she been spared, her 
benignant vigilance would have prevented many a scene 
of horror in tlie new world, and might have softened the 
lot of its native inhabitants. As it is, her fair name will 
ever shine with celestial radiance in the early dawning of 
its history. 

14. The nevps of the death of Isabella reached Colum- 
bus while he was writing a letter to his son. He notices 
it in a postcrlpl, written in beautifully touching and 
mournful terms. 

15. " A memorial," he writes, «» for thee, my dear son 

♦TliR dving commnnd of Isabella has bf^cn obeyed. Tlie author of 
(his work has Been lier tomb in tlie royal L-hapt-l of the cathrdra! of Gra 
oada, in which her remuins are interreii with those of Ferdinand. Their 
tffigie.s, sculp'iircd in white mirblc, liy bide by side, on a wm^nificcnt 
Bcpulrhre. Tlie altar of the ohajie! is adoincd with baa reliela, leprft' 
tke conuuesl and eurrenUcr uf Granada. 



or coLU^kBUs. 193 

DiegOi of what is at present to be done. Thd principal 
thing is to commend affectionately, and with great devo- 
tion, the soul of the qaeen, our sovereign^ tt) God. Her 
lite was always catholic and pioiis^ and prompt to aU 
things in his holy service ; for this reason we may rest 
fissured that she is received into his gloiy^ and beyond 
the cares of this rough and weary world. 

16. " The next thing is, to watch and kbour in all mat- 
ters for the service of our sovereign, the king, and to en- 
deavour to alleviate his grief. His majesty is the head of 
Christendom. Remember the proverb, which says, 
when the head suffers, all the members suffer. Therefore 
all good Christians should pray for his health and long 
life ; and we, who are in his employ, ought more than 
others to do this witii all study and diligence." 

17. During a great part of the spring Columbus was 
detained at Seville by his maladies. The Adelantadoin 
the mean tnne, proceeded to court, to attend to his con- 
cerns. The latter was accompanied by the admiral's 
younger son Fernando, then about seventeen years old. 
In a letter to his elder son Diego, he inculcates the 
strongest fraternal attachment ) alluding to his own bro» 
thers with one of those warm and affecting touches which 
epeak the kindness of his heart. 

18. "To thy brother," said he^ " conduct thyself as the 
elder brother should unto the younger. Thou hast no 
otherj and 1 praise God that this is such a one as thou 
dost need. Ten brothers would not be too many for" 
thee. Never have I found a better friend, to right or 
left, than my brothers." 

19. It was not until the month of May that Columbna 
was able to accomplish his journey to court. He, who 
but a few years before had entered the city of Barcelona 
in triumph, attended by the chivalry of Spain^ and hailed 
with rapture by the multitudcj nOw arrived at the gates 
of Segovia, a way-Worn, melancholvj and neglected man ^ 
oppressed even mOre by sorrows than by his years and 
infirmities. 

20. When he pi-esented himself at court, he was made 
iamentably sensible of the loss of his protectress, the be- 
aignant Isabella. He met with none of that distinguished 

17 



1^ LIFE AND VOYAGES 

attention, that cordial kindnesf?, that cherishing sym^' 
pathy, w'hicli his unparalleled services and his recent 
sufferings had merited. Ferdinand, it is true, received 
him with many professions of kindr>ess ; but v,'ith those 
cold, ineffectual smiles, which pass like wintry sunshine 
over the countenance, and convey no warmth to the 
heart. 

- 21. Many months were passed by Columbus in pninful 
and humiliating- solicitation. He endeavoured to bear 
these delays with patience ; but he had no longf^r the 
physical strength, and the glorious anticipations, wiiich 
had once sustained him through his long appiicatioi? at 
this court. He was again confined to his bed by a return 
of the gout, aggravated by the irritations of his spirit. 
From this couch of anguish, he addressed one more ap- 
peal to the justice of the king. He no longer petitioned 
for himself, but for his son Diego. He entreated that he 
might be appointed in his place to the government of 
which he had been so wrongfully deprived. 

22 <*This," said he, " is a matter which concerns my 
honour ; as to all the rest, do as your majfsty thinks pro- 
per ; give or withhold, as may be most for your intprest, 
and I shall be content. I believe it is the anxiety caused 
by the delay of this affair, which is the prnicipal cause of 
my ill healtli." 

23. Tills petition was treated by P'erdinand v/ith hia 
usual evasions ; lie endeavoured to prevail upon Colum- 
bus and liis son to wave tiieir claims to diirnilies in the 
new v^'orld, and accept, in place thereof, titles and estates 
in Castile. Columbus rejected a'l proposals of the kind 
with indignation. He saw, however, that all further hope 
of redress from Ferdinand was vain. 

24. From the bod to which he was confined, he ad- 
dressed a letter to a friend, expressive of his despair. 
"It appears,'' said he, "that his majesty do^s not think 
fit to fultil tliat which he, with the queen who is now in 
glory, promised mo by word and s^mk For me to cor^tend 
to the contrary, would be to contend with the wind. I 
have done all that I could do. I leave the rest to God, 
whom I liave ever found propitious to me in my ne» 
cessities." 



OF COLUMBUS. 195 

25. In the miclst of illness and despondency, when 
both life and hope were expirinof in u'ui bosom of Colum- 
bus, a new crleani was awakened, and blazed up for the 
moment with characteristic fervour. Ko lieard with joy 
of the arrival from Flanders of Kmg Philip and Queen 
Juana, to take possession of their throne of Casiile. In 
the daug'hter of Isabella, he trusted to find a patroness 
and a friend. 

26. King Ferdinand and all the court repaired to Lo- 
redo, to receive the youthful t;overeigns. Coluvnbus sent 
his brother, the Adelantado, to represent him, and v/rote 
a letter to tlie king- and queen, lamenting his being- pre- 
vented by illness from coming in person. He expressed 
a hope, that he should receive at their hands a restitution 
of his honours and estates ; and assured them that, 
though cruelly tortured at present by disease, he would 
yet be able to render them services, the like of which had 
never been witnessed. 

27. Such was the last sally of his sanguine and un- 
conquerable spirit ; which, disregarding age and infir- 
.nities, and all past sorrows and disappointments, spoke 
from his dying bed with all the confidence of youthful 
hope, and talked of still greater enterprises, as if he had 
d long and vigorous life before him. 

28. The Adelantado took an affectionate leave of his 
brother, whom he was never to behold again, and set out 
on his mission to the new sovereigns. He experienced 
the most gracious reception, and flattering hopes were 
ffiven him that the claims of the admiral would speedily 
be satisiied. 

29. In tlie mean time, the cares and troubles of Co- 
lumbus were drawing to a close. The transient fire 
which had reanimated him was scon quenched by accu- 
mulating infirmities. Immediately after the departure of 
the Adelantado, his illness increased in violence. 

30. Finding that his end was approaching, he arranged 
all his eartlily affairs, constituting his son Diego his uni- 
versal heir, entailing his honours and estates on the male 
line of his family, and providing for his brothers Don 
Bartholomew and Don Diego, and his natural son Don 
Fernando. 



^HS LIFB AND VOYAGES 

31. In his will he enjoined that a portion oFhis reve- 
nues should be 9,nr.ual'y deytosited in the bank of St. 
George, at Genoa, until a sufficient sura should be accu- 
mulated to set on foot a crusade to the Holy Land ; for 
the rescue of the holy sepulchre was, to the last, the great 
object of his ambition, and lie left a solemn charge upon 
his heirs to aid personally in the pious enterprise. Other 
provisions were made for tlie foundatio!) of churches — the 
support of Beatrix Enriquez, the motlier of Fernando — the 
relief of his poor relations, and tlie payment of the most 
trivial debts. 

32. Having thus scrupulously attended to all the claims 
of earth, he turned his thoughts to heaven, observing all 
the rehgious ceremonials of a devout catiiolic. In his 
last moments he was attended by his son Diego, and a 
few faithful followers, and he expired, with great resig- 
nation, on the 20ih of May, 1.506, being about seventy 
years of age. His last words were, " Into thy hands*. 
O Lord, I commend my spirit."* 

CHAPTER XLVl 

Observations on the Character of Columbus. 

1. CoLUMBU.s was a man of great and inventive genius^ 
The operations of his mind were energetic, but irregular. 
His ambition was lofty and noble, inspiring him with 
high thoughts, ai^l an anxiety to distinguish himself by 
great achieveme3ils. 

2. He aimed at dignit3'and wealth in the same eleva- 
ted spirit v/ith which he sought renown ; they were to 
rise from the territories he should discover, and be com- 
mensurate in importance. The vast gains tiiat he an- 
ticipated, he intended to appropriate to public pur- 
poses ; to instituiions for the relivf of the {,oor, to the 
foundation of churches, and, above all, to crusades for 
the recovery of the holy sepulchre. 

3. Jle was tenacious of iiis rank and privileges, not 

• In masjUK tua,.i,j Doir.inc conimsiuio spifilmu nieura. 



OF C0LVMBU8. |07 

from a mnre vulgar love of titles, but because he prized 
them as testimmnals and trophies of his illustrious deeds. 
Every question of compromise concerning them, he re- 
pulsed with disdain. " These things," said he, nobly, 
«' concern my honour." In his testament, he enjoined 
on his son Diego, and whomsoever after him should in- 
herit his estates, whatever otiier titles might be granted 
by the king, always to sign himself simply " The Ad- 
miral," by way of perpetuating in the family the source 
of its real greatness. 

4. His conduct was characterized by the magnanimity 
of his spirit. Instead of ravaging the newly found coun- 
tries like many of his contemporary discoverers, who 
were intent only on immediate gain, lie sought to colonize^ 
and cultivate them, to civilize the natives, to subject every 
thing to the control of law, order, and religion, and thus 
to foand regular and prosperous empires. That he failed 
in this, was tlie fault of the dissolute rabble which it was 
his misfortune to c(«nmand, v/ith whom all law was 
tyranny, and all order oppression. 

5. He was naturally irritable and impetuous, and keenly 
sensible to injury and injustice ; yet the quickness of his 
temper w^as comiteracted by the benevolence and gene- 
rosity of his heart. The magnanimity of his nature 
shone forth thro\igli all the troubles of his stormy career. 
Though coritiiiually outraged by the seditions of turbulent 
and v/orthtess men, and that, too, at times when suffer- 
ing under anguish ol' body and anxiety of mind, yet he 
restrained his valiant and indignant spirit, and brought 
himself to forbear, and reason, and even to supplicate. 

6. Nor sliould we fail to notice how free he was from 
all feeling of revengn, how ready to forgive and forget on 
the least signs of repentance and atonement. lie has 
been extolled for his skill in controlling otliers, but far 
greater praise is due to him for the firmness he displayed^ 
in governing himself. 

7. His piety was genuine and f3rvent ; religion • 
mingled v/ith the wiiole coarse of his thoughts and ac- 
tions, and shone forth in his most private and unstudied' 
writings. Whenever he made any great discovery, he' 
devoutly returned thanks to God. The voice of prayer 

17* 



198 LIFE AND VOYAGES 

and the melody of praise rose from his sliips on discover* 
ing- the new worid, and his first activ^:; on landing was to 
prostrate himself upon the earth, and otR^r up thanksgiv^ 
ings. Every evenitig the iSalve Regina, and Oclier vesper 
hymns, were chanted by hi^? crew, and masses were per- 
formed in the beautiful groves that bordered the wild 
shores of this heatlien land. 

8. All his great enterprises v;ere undertaken in the 
name of the Holy Trinity, and he partook of the holy 
pacramont previous to cnibarkation. He observed the 
festivals of the church in the wildest situations. The 
Sabbath v/as to him a day of sacred rest, on which he 
would never sail from a port, unless in case of extreme 
necessity. The religion thus deej^ly seated in his soul 
diiTusfd a sober dignity, and a benign composure, over 
his whole deport)nont ; his very language was ])ure and 
guarded, and free from all gross or irreverent expressions. 

9. It cannot be denied, howev'er, tiiat his p«ety was 
mingled v/ith superstition, and darkened by the bigotry 
of the age. Ke evidently concurred in the opinion, that 
all the nations who did not acknowledge tlic Christian 
faith were destitute of natural rights ; and that the sterna 
est measures might be used for their conversion, and the 
severest punishments inflicted upon them, if obstinate in 
unbelief. 

10. In this spirit of bigotry he considered himself Jtis* 
tilled in making captives of thelndiansj and tmnsporting 
them to Spainj to have them taught the doctrines of 
Christianity, and in selling them for slaves if they pre- 
tended to resist his invasions. 

11. It is but justice to Ins charactei' to observe, that 
the enslavement of the Indians thus taken in battle was 
at first openly countenanced by the crown, and that, 
when the question of right came to he discussed at tiie 
request of the queen, several of the most distinguished 
jurists and theologians advocaied the prRcti<;e ; so that 
the question was finally settled in favour of the Indians 
solely by the humanity of Isabella. As the venerable 
bishop Las Casas observes, where the most leanied men 
have doubted, it is not surprising that an imlearned mari- 
ner should err. 



OF COLUMBUS. 199 

12. These remarks, in palliation of the conduct of 

Columbus, are required by candour. It is proper to show 
him in connexion v/ith the age in which he lived, lest the 
errors of the times should be considered his individual 
faults. It is not intended, however, to justify him on a 
point where it is inexcusable to err. Let il remain a 
blot on his illustrious name^ and let others derive a lesson 
from it. 

13. A peculiar trait in his rich and varied character 
was an ardent imagination, v/hich threw a magnilicence 
over his whole course of thought. A poetical tempera- 
ment is discernible throughout all his writings and in all 
his actions. We see it in all his descriptions of the 
beauties of the wild lands he was discovering ; in the 
enthusiasm with which he extols the verdure of the 
forests, the grandeur of the mountains, and the crystal 
clearness of the running streams ; the blandness of the 
temperature, the purity of the atmosphere, and the fra- 
grance of the air, "full of dew and sweetness." ' 

14. It spread a golden and glorious world around him» 
End tinged every thing with its own gorgeous colours. It 
betrayed him into visionary speculations, which subjected 
him to the sneers and cavils of men of cooler and safer, 
but more grovelling minds. Such were the conjecturd^ 
formed on the coast of Paria, about the form of the earth, 
and the situation of the terrestrial paradise ; about the 
mines of Ophir, and the Aurea Chersonesus of the an- 
cients ; and such was the heroic scheme of a crusade, for 
the recovery of tlie holy sepulchre. 

15. It filled his mind with solemn and visionary medi- 
tations on mystic passages of the scriptures, and on the 
shadowy portents of the prophecies. It exalted his own 
office in his eyes, and made him conceive himself an agent 
sent forth upon a sublime and awful mission, and subject 
to mysterious intimations from the Deity ; such as the 
voice which he imagined spoke to him in comfort, in the 
silence of the night on the disastrous coast of Veragua. 

16. He was decidedly a visionary, but a visionary of an 
uncommon kind, and successful in his dreams. The 
manner in which his ardent imagination and mercurial 
nature were controlled by a powerful judgment, and 



800 LIFn AND VOYAGES OP COLVMBVS. 

directed by an acute sagfacity, is the most extraordinary 
feature in his character. Thus governed, his imagination, 
instead of exhausting itself in idle flights, lent aid to his 
judgment, and enabled him to form conclusions at which 
common minds could never have arrived, nay, which they 
could not perceive when pointed out. 

17. To his intellectual vision it was given to read the 
signs of the times, and to trace in the conjectures and 
reveries of past ages the indications of an unloiown world, 
as soothsayers were said to read predictions in the stars, 
and to foretell events from the visions of the night. 
" His soul,'^ observes a Spanish writer, « was superior to 
the age in which he lived. For him was reserved the 
great enterprise of traversing a sea which had given rise 
to so many fables, and of deciphering the mystery of his 
age." 

18. With all the visionary fer\'our of his imagination, 
its fondest dreams fell short of the reality. He died in 
ignorance of the real grandeur of his discovery ! Until 
his last breath,,he entertained the idea that he had merely 
opened a new way to the old resorts of opulent com- 
merce, and had discovered seme of the wild regions of 
the east. He supposed Hispaniola to be the ancient 
Gphir, which, had been vit;itc d by the ships of King Solo- 
mon, and tliat Cuba: and Terra Firma were but remote 
parts of Asia. 

19. What visions of glory wruld have broken upon his 
mind, could he have known that he had indeed discover- 
ed a new contment equal to the old world in magnitude,, 
and separated by two vast oceans from all the earth hith- 
erto known by civilized man ! and how would his mag- 
nanimous spirit have been consoled, amidst the afflictions 
of age, and the cares of penury, the neglect of a fickle 
public, and tlie injustice of an ungrateful king, could he 
have anticipated the splendid empires which would arise 
in the beautiful world he had discovered ; and the nations, 
and tongues, and languages which were to fill its lands 
with his renown, and to revere and biess his name to the 
latest posterity ! 



201 

APPENDIX. 



Obsequies of Columbus, 

1. The body of Columbus was deposited in the con, 
vent of S. Francisco, and his obsequies were celebrated 
with funeral pomp in the church of Santa Maria de la 
Antiofua, in Valladolid. His remains were transported, 
in 1513, to the Carthusian convent of Las Cuevas, at 
Seville, and deposited in the chapel of Santa Christo. 
In the year 1536, they were removed to Hispaniola, and 
interred by the side of the grand altar of the cathedral of 
the city of San Domingfo. But even here they did not 
rest in quiet. On the cession of Hispaniola to the French 
in 1795, it was determined by the Spaniards to bear them 
off to the island of Cuba as precious relics, connected 
with the most glorious epoch of Spanish history. 

2. Accordingly, on the 20th of December, 1795, in the 
presence of an august assemblage of the dignitaries of 
the church and the civil and military officers, the vault 
was opened beside the high altar of the cathedral : within 
were found the fragments of a leaden coffin, a number of 
bones, and a quantity of mould, evidently the remains of 
a human body, Tiiese were carefully collected, and put 
into a case of gilded lead, secured by an iron lock ; the 
case was enclosed in a coffin covered with black velvet, 
and the whole placed in a temporary mau.^-oleiun. 

3. On the following day there was another grand con- 
vocation at the cathedral : the vigils and masses for the 
dead were chanted, and a funeral sermon was preached 
by the archbishop. After these solemn ceremonials in 
the cathedral, the coffin was transported to the sliip, at- 
tended by a grand civil, rdigious, and military procession. 
The banners were covered with crape ; there were chants 
and responses, and discharges of artillery ; and the most 
distinguished persons of the several orders took turns to 
support the coffin. 

4. The reception of the body at Havana was equally 
august. There was a splendid procession of boats to 
conduct it from the ship, to, th^ shore. On passing the 



202 APPENDIX. 

vessels of war in the harbour, they all paid the honours 
due to an admiral and captain-general of the navy. On 
arriving at the mole, the remains were met by the gover- 
nor of the island, accompanied by the generals of the 
military staiT. They were then conveyed in the utmost 
pomp to the cathedral. Masses and the solemn ceremo- 
nies of the dead were performed by the bishop, and the 
mortal remains of Columbus were deposited in the wall, 
on the right side of the grand altar, where they still 
remain. 

5. It is with deep satisfaction that the author of this 
work is able to close his history with the account of a 
ceremonial so noble and affecting, and so honourable to 
the Spanish nation. When we read of the remains of 
Columbus thus conveyed from the port of San Domingo, 
after an interval of nearly three hundred years, as sacred 
national relics, with civil and military pomp, and high 
religious ceremonial, we cannot hut reflect that it was 
from this very port he was carried offloaded with igno- 
minious chains, blasted apparently in fame and fortune, 
and taunted by the revilings of the rabble. 

6. Such lionours, it is true, are nothing to the dead, 
nor can they atone to the heart, now dust and ashes, for 
all the wrongs and sorrows it may have suffered ; but 
they speak volumes of comfort to the illustrious yet slan- 
dered and persecuted living, encouraging them bravely 
to bear with present injuries, by showing them how true 
merit outlives all calumny, and receives its glorious re- 
ward in the admiration of after ages. 

NoTK. — While this abridgment was go'in^ to press, the autlior received 
a letter i'rom Madrid, iriCiitionirip a rcjccnt circumstance, which may he of 
some interest to the reader of this work. The emancipaMon of the Spa- 
nish Colonies in America h:id stripped the heirs of Columbus of all their 
Sroperty, insomuch that his last direct descendant and rnpresentative, the 
luKc of Veraguas, a young nobleman of vvorth and talent, was reduced 
to extreme poverty, lie instituted a claim upon the government for in- 
demnification, which has just been allowed. A pension of twenty-four 
thousand dollars has been assigned him on the revenues of Cuba and 
Porto Rico, h is a circumstance highly to his credit, that, in the time of 
his greatetjt distre-^s, he refu.sed sums that wero offerc<l him for variouB 
documents in the archives of his family, and particularly for autograpbs 
•f bii illustrious auc«stor 



TBS ERD.. 



<liUE§TIONS, 



INTRODUCTION. 

Page 3. Sec. 1, 2. Was any tiling certain known of the Ame- 
rican continent before the fifteenth century? 3. What waa 
thought of the Atlantic ? 4, 5. What were the Arabian notions 
concerning it 'I 6. What is the object of the present work. 

CHAPTER I. 

Page 5. Sec. 1. Where and when was Columbus born ? 2. What 
o-as his parentage ? What the sentiment of his son Fernando 
ou the subject ? 3, 4. What was liis education ? 5. At what 
age did he go to sea ? What was the nature of the seafaring 
life in those days ? 

Page 6. Sec. C. Who did he first sail with ? 7. In what expe- 
dition ? What did he do at Tunis ? 8, 9. What batde was he 
engaged in on the Portuguese coast ? 

Page 7. Sec. 10. The event of that battle? 11. What are the 
probable objects that led Columbus to Portugal I 

CHAPTER II. 

Page 7. Sec. 1. Who patronized modern discovery? 2. What 
were his ideas witli reL=pect to a route by sea to India ? 3. What 
errors had he to struggle against'? 

Page 8. Sec. 4. His measures to conquer them"? 5. What aid 
did he receive from the Pope ? G. His death, character, and 
motto ? 7, 8. The person of Columbus'? 

Page 9. Sec. 9. His temper and manners? 10. His diet and 
dress"? His discourse ? His religions habits ? 11, 12. Who did 
he marry ? Where did he first see her ? Their circumstances'? 

13. How did this connexion operate upon his nautical pursuits'? 

14. On what expeditions did he sail ? On what island did he 
reside ? 

Page 10. Sec. 15. What were the rumours among seamen con 
cerning land in the Atlantc? 16. What of the island of St. 
Brandon ? • 17. What effect had these things upon the mind of 
Columbus ? 18. What idea did he form I'especting a new route 
to India? 

CHAPTER III. 

Page 11. Sec. I. What did Columbus suppose to be the form of 
the eartli 1 How much of its circumference did he suppose to be 



804 QUESTIONS. 

discovered ? How was the remaining part filled up ? 2. What 
was the opinion of the ancients with respect to India? What 
Lad Marco Polo done to confirm it ? 3. What was the opinion 
of Alfraoanus respecting the size of the earth ? What did Co- 
lumbus infer from that opinion ? 4, 5. Wliat facts tended to 
confirm tiie belief in lands to the westward ? 6. What regions 
were described by Marco Polo ? 
Page 12. fSec. 7. What and where was the island of Cipango ? 

8. What was the plan of Columbus in his projected voyage? 

9. Wiiat errors encouraged him? 10. 11. EiTect of his theory 
upon his conduct and character? 

CHAPTER IV. 

Page 13. Sec. 1. What difficulties impeded the project of Co- 
lumbus ? 2. Where did he sail in the interim ? 3, 4. What in-stru- 
ment was introduced into nautical use under tiie patronage of 

. John II. ? Its effects on navigation ? Upon the plans of Co- 
lumbus ? 

Page 14. Sec. 5. How was his proposition received by King 
John ? How by his counsellors '. 6, 7. What artifice did they 
resort to ? 0. How did Columbus act in consequence? 9. 
Where did he next go? How did he conduct himself towards 
his family ? 10. IIow was his proposition received by Genoa ? 

Page 15. Sec. 11. How by Venice? Where did he send his 
brother Bartholomew ? Wiiere did he go liimself ? 

CHAPTER V. 

Page 15. Sec. 1. Where is the convent of La Rabida situated? 
Where is the port of Palos? 2. Vv'^liat happened at the gate 
of the convent? 3. \\'l!o was Juan Perez de Marchena ? 4. 
How did he act towards Columbus ? 

Page 16. Sec. 5. Who was Martin Alonzo Pinzon ? What aid did 
he yield Columbus ? 6. To whom did Juan Perez give Colum- 
bus a letter ? 7. Vv'hen did Columbus set out for the court? 
8, 9. How did Ferdinand and Isabella govern their kingdoms ? 

10. What was the character of Ferdinand? 

Pa^e 17. Sec. 11, 12. What were the person and character of 
Isabella? 13. Her civil policy? 

CHAPTER VI. 

Page 17. Sec. 1. What was the state of the Spanish court? 2, 
How was Columbus received by Talavera ? 

Page 18. Sec. 3, 4, 5. How was he regarded by courtiers ? by 
scoffers? by children ? 6. What connexion did he form at Cor- 
dova? 7, 8. What proselytes did he gain? Who obtained an 
audience for him with the king? 

Page 19. Sec. 9, 10, 11. How was he received? Whatwaatiw 
re^Liltof his audience 1 



QUESTIONS. 205 

CHAPTER VII. 

Page 19. Sec. 1. Where did the grand conference take place? 

2, 3, 4. What were the prepossessions of the members against 
Columbus? 5, 6. What objections were made to his theoiT? 
7. What is the excuse for them ? 

Page 21. Sec. 8. Were there not religious objections? 9, 10. 
How did Columbus answer them? 11. What eflect had his 
reasoning ? 12. What life did he lead during his solicitations? 

Page 22. Sec. 13. Wiiat was the final decision of the council of 
Salamanca? 14. What its effect upon Columbus ? 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Page 22. Seel. To what noblemen did Columbus apply ? With 

what success ? 
Page 23. Sec. 2. To what court did he next turn his thoughts? 

3, 4. What occurred on his revisiting the convent of La Kabil 
da? 5, 6. What was the effect of the friar's intercession with 
the queen ? 7. What did Columbus witness on returnin" to 
the court? ° 

Page 24. Sec. 8. His appearance and conduct there ? 9, 10, 11. 
AVhat were his demands on his first negotiation ? How were 
Ihey received? What sneer was made respecting his terms? 
Howdid he answer it ? Why was the negoliationljroken off? 

Page 25, Sec. 13. What was the conduct and determination of 
Columbus in consequence ? 14. Who remonstrated with the 
queen ? 15. What was tlie speech of Isabella respecting her 
-ewels ? 16. V/here was Columbus when called back to court? 

CHAPTER IX. 

Page 26. Sec. 1. How was Columbus received on his return to 
court ? 2. What were the stipulations agreed upon ? What 
his tides and authonties 1 What his share ni the profits ? What 
Ins junsdjction as judge? What his privileges on contributing 
an ejghth ot the expense? 3. Where and when were tho4 
articles signed ? 

Page 27. Sec. 4. What religious object had Columbus in liis dis- 
coveries / 5. Wiiat was his proposition concerning a crusade 1 
6, 7, 8. What port was fixed upon for the embarkation ? What 
orders were issued respeciing ships and supplies ? 9. What DOSt 
was given to the son of CoJumbus? 

Paoe 28. Sec. 10. How long had Columbus prosecuted his suit* 
How old was he when he succeeded ? What should his exaral 

P Vf 7il 'J ' vM-'"' '''^f ^'- '■°>'^* mandate received 
at Palos ? 14. How did Pinion behave ? 

Page 29. Sec 15. The effect of his conduct? 16. What of the 

third vessel ? 17, 18. What Mas the force of ths squadron t 

The nature of the ships? Their commandei-s? i9. The cir^ 

cumstances of their departure ? 

18 



208 QUESTIONS. 

CHAPTER X. 

Pa^e 30. Sec. 1. When did Columbus set sail 1 2. Wliat waa 

tlie nature of the chart by which he sailed'? 
Page 31. See. 7, 8. Vv^hat was the conduct of the seamen on 

losing sight of land ? 11. AV^hat of the variation of the needle 1 
Page 3:2. Sec. 14. What of the trade wind? 16, 17. What signs 

of land cheered the seamen'? 
Page 33. Sec. 19, 20. How were they affected by the length of 

the voyage? 21. What of the singing of the small birds'? 
Page 31. Sec. 24. 25. What did they apprehend from the patches 

of sea weeds? What from the calmness of the sea? 26, 27, 28. 

What were their mutinous suggestions? 
Page 35. Sec. 29—33. What the false alarms of land "? The ef- 

feet of disappointments "? The firm reply of Columbus to his 

crew *? 
Page 36. Sec. 31. Wl>at dispelled all doubts'? 35, 36. What 

was the conduct of Columbus the eve of his discovery 1 His 

address to his crew? His arrangements for the night "? 38. Who 

first saw a light on shore ? 
Page 37. Sec" 40- Who first saw land ? 41. The effect upon the 

feelings bf Columbus ? 

CHAPTER XI. 

Page 38. Sec. 1. What was the appearance of the island in the 

morning ? 2, 3, 4. Describe the landing of Columbus. 
Page 39. Sec. 5. How did his followers behave 1 6—10. What 

was the idea of the natives respecting the ships and Spaniards? 

their behaviour. 
Page 40. Sec. 11. What was the character of the natives ? 13. 

What was the name of the island ? How came the natives to be 

called Indians ? 15. What did they offer inbarter 2 16. What 

intelligence did they give concerning gold ? 
Page 41. Sec. 17. Wiiat were the conclusions of Columbus? 

18. What did he think of the number of small islands? 22. 

What was the first account he Iieard of Cuba ? Wliat land did 

suppose it to be ? 
Page 42. Sec. 23. What were his impressions on coasting Cuba ? 

27. What traces did he meet with of the natives ? 
Page 43. Sec. 29. What embassy did he send into the interior? 

32. What strange article of luxury did the envoys meet with 

among the natives? 
Page 44. Sec. 34. What occurred during the admiral's cruise in 

quest of the island of Babique ? 36- What did he think of 

the desertion of Martin Alonzo Pinzon? 38- How did he first 

discover the island of Hayti? 
Page 45. Sec- 40. What was the appearance of the island t 

CHAPTER XII. 

Pa*e45. Sec- 2. Why did Columbus name the island Hispaniolal 
3- What interview took place with the inhabitants ? 



QUESTIONS 207 

Page 46. Sec- 8. Describe the interview with the young cacique 'J 
Page 47. Sec- 11. What was the first overture of fi'iendship on 

the part of Guacanagari "? 14- What were the circumstances of 

the shipwreck of Columbus'? 
Page 48- Sec- 17. What was the conduct of Guacanagari autl 

his subjects 1 
Page 49. Sec 19. How did the chieftain entertain Cohimbus "? 

20. What mihtary display was made by Columbus ? It^ effect 

on the natives "? 23. What was the first account of the gold 

mines of Cibao 1 
Page 50. Sec. 24. What was the mode of life of the natives'? 

27. What eftect had it upon the sailors '? What new plan was 

adopted by Columbus 1 
Page 51. Sec. 30. ^Vhat was the nature of the fort he built, and 

of his instructions to the garrison '? 34. What were the circum- 
stances attending his departure 1 

CHAPTER XHI. 

Page 52. Sec- 1. How did they meet with the Pinta'? 2- What 
was the excuse of Pinzon "? VVhat his real motive 'i 3. Where 
had he been *? 

Page 53. Sec- 4. What did Columbus do at Rio de Gracia ? 5, 6. 
Where was the first native blood shed by Europeans in the ne'.v 
world '? 7. What was the name of the cacique of Ciguay 1 8. 
His conduct '? 

Page 54. Sec- 11 — 17. Describe tiie storm on the voyage home- 
ward. The vows made by the admiral and his crew. The 
precaution taken by Columbus to perpetuate the fame of hia 
discovery in case of shipwreck. 

Page 55. Sec- 18- What land did he first arrive at ? 1^—22. 
How was he received ■? What occurred between him and the 
governor '? 23. At what place in Portugal did he arrive ? 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Page 57. Sec- 1. The effect of the arrival In the Tagus ? 2. The 

conduct of the people 1 
Page 58. Sec- 3, 4- The treatment and reception of Columbus 

by the king"? 5, 6- What were tlie doubts of king John re- 

ppecting the discovery ? 7, 8, 9- What was the advice of hi3 

counsellors "? 
Page 59- Sec 10- How did the king treat their advice f 12. 

What was the reception of Columlnis at Palos ? < 

Page 60- Sec- 16- What was the late of Pinzon'? What the 

apologies to he made for his conduct? What the moral to be 

drawn from it "? 

CHAPTER XV- 

Page 61. Sec- 1- Describe the journey of Columbus to Barcelona. 
Page 62. Sec- 2- His arrival and entrance there 'i 3- The parade 



208 QUESTIONS. 

of his Indiaa trophies'? 4. The appearance of the streets? 5. 

What gave. soFeainity and grandeur to this spectacle 1 6. How 

did the soveru^nj" receive Columbus "? 
Page 63. Sec. 7, 8. How did he appear in their presence "? His 

looks'? Hisconduoi? 9. His relation of his discoveries 1 10,11. 

Describe the th«nk\pving of the sovereij^ns and their court. 
Page 64. Sec. 1?. \"\ t-'ut vow did Colunibus make concerning 

the holy sepulchre ■? 14, 15. What honours did he receive 1 

What coat of arms and motto '? 16. What concerning tlie pen- 
sion for first descrying I'and'? 
Page 65. Sec. 17. Relate llie anecdote of the egg. 20, 21. What 

idea was entertained concerning the newly discovered laud "* 

WJiat name did it receivij 'J 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Page 65. Sec. 1. What waa the nature of the bull obtained from 

the Pope ? 
Page 66. Sec. 2. In virtue of what authority ^ 3. What was the 

line of demarcation '? 4. Who was appointed superintendent of 

Indian affairs'? 6. What monk was sent as apostolical vicar 1 

7. Wh.at did Isabella for the Indians ■? 
Page 67. Sec. 8. What was the public feeling respecting the new 

expedition 1 9, 10. Who was Alonzo de Ojeda'? His person; 

character'? 11, 12. His exploit'? 13. What dispute arose with 

Fonseca"? 
Page 68. Sec. 14, Its consequences'? 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Page 68. Sec. 1. Where did Columbus embark on his second 

voyage '? What armament ■? 
Page 69. Sec. 3. The scene of his embarkation'? 4, 5. What 

islands did he discover'? 6,7. What of the Caribs and tlieir 

cannibalism 1 
Page 70. Sec. 8. Relate the anecdote of the eight stragglers, and 

Ojeda's search after them. 12. Relate the conflict with the In- 
dian canoe. The valour of the females. 
Page 71. Sec. 15. What was the original name of Porto Rico 7 

18. What circumstance alarmed Columbus on landing on the 

coast of Hayti ■? 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Page 72. Sec. I, 2. What occurred on arriving at La Navidad i 

3. What was the story of the Indians'? 
Page 73. Sec. 5. What was the appearance of the shore on the 

next day '? 6. What was the state of the fort ■? 7. What search 

did Columbus make"? 8. Wiiat did he discover'? 9. What 

was tlie true story of the fortiess '? 



QUESTIONS. 209 

Pa^e 74. Sec. 12. Who was Caonabo '? 14. What did he do to 

the fortress 1 
Page 75. Sec. 16. What occurred in CoUimbus' visit to Guaca- 

nagari ■? 18. What most amazed the chief on board of the ship* 

19. Who was CataUnal 20. Wliat was the advice of Friar 

Boyle 1 
Page 76. Sec. 23. How was the escape of Catalinal 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Page 77. Sec. 1. Why did Columbus remove the colony; and 

whither? 2. The name of the new town 1 3. How built ■? 4. 

Tlie state of the colonists "? 
Page 78. Sec. 7. Why did Columbus send an expedition to Ci- 

baol 8. The commander of the expedition'? His route "J His 

success 1 11. Who sailed for Spain 1 
Page 79. Sec. 12. What did he take with him? What did Co- 

lumbus write 1 14. His advice respecting the Caribs? 15. How 

was it received by the sovereigns ? 16. The effect in Europe 

of tlie arrival of the fleet"? 
Page 80. Sec. 18. AVhat were the murmurs of the colonists'? 20. 

Who formed a conspiracy'? How was it punished ? 21. What 

was tlie disadvantage of Columbus "? 

CHAPTER XX. 

Pa^e 81- Sec-1. What expedidon did Columbus undertake? 2. 

What road did the Spaiiiards make across the mountains'? 3. 

What prospect did they see from the movnitain ? 
Page 82. Sec- 6,7. How did they march ? How did the Indiana 

behave'? 8, 9. What was tlie appearance of the gold region'? 

10. What fortress did Columbus build ? 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Page 83. Sec 1- Who was left in command of St- Thomas 1 2- 
What was the character of the natives? 3- What was their 
creed ? 

Page 84- Sec- 4- What were zemes? 5. What were the Indian 
priests? 6. The festivals of a cacique in honour of his zemi? 
8. The ideas of the natives respecting creation ? 

Page 85. Sec. 9, 10. Respecting die origin of man? 11. Of wo- 
men ? 13. Respecting llie deluge ? 

Page 86. »Sec. 16. Their treatment of the dying and dead? 18. 
Their ideas of a fulta-e state ? 19. Their dances and areytos ? 

Page 87.. Sec. 20. Wliat was their character for industry ? 21. 
Why were they indolent? 23. How did they treat the Spaniards ? 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Pftge 88. Sec. 1. Wliat tidings did Columbus receive after ha 

18* 



210 QUESTIONS. 

return 1 How did he act 1 2- What was the state of the coIo- 
nists at the harbour? What did Friar Boyle? 3, 4. What 
gave offence to the cavaliers ? 

Page 89. Sec. 5, 6. What was the fate of these cavaiiera? 7. 
WJiat superstitious story was told concerning them ? How was 
their fate charged to Columbus, and what did Columbus resolve 
to do, prior to sailing on discoveries? 9. Who did he put at 
the head of his forces ? What orders did he give him ? 

Page 90. Sec. 10, 11. What punishment did Ojeda inflict upon 
Indian thieves? 12, 13, 14. What did Cokimbus with the cap- 
tive cacique ? Why did he pardon him ? What was tlie ex- 
ploit of a single horseman ? 15. Whom did Columbus leave in 
command when he sailed ? 

CHAPTER XXIII. . 

Page 91. Sec 1. What was the plan of Culumbus in revisiting 

Cuba"? 2- How was he received by the natives ■? 3- Why dio 
■ he steer for Jam^iica "? Its aspect '? 4. What of the natives. 

and their canoes ■' 
Page 92- Sec- 0- Relate the story of the young Indian. 7, 8 

What was tiie queen's garden ? What did Columbus consider it 
Page 93. Sec. 9. What of Ornof.iy ? 10. The evening regale 

£dong its coast "? 12. What made him suppose that he was ii 

tlie neighbourhood of P.Iangi 1 13. What was the story of the 

archei>, and the men in wii'te ? 
Pa^e 94. Sec. 15. What of the party sent in search of him 1 16. 

The probable origin of the story ? 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Page 94. Sec 1. What did Columbus hope to effect^ by continu- 
ing his voyage ? 2. Why was he induced to abandon it? 

Page 65- Sec- 3. What deposition did he require from his crew? 
4. What would have been the effect had he continued on? 6. 
Relate the anecdote of the old Indian and his sjieech. 

Page 96. Sec. 9. What was the reply of Columbus? 10. What 
the wish of the old Indian ? 11. What the incident of the ca- 
cique of Jamaica and iiis family? 

Page 97. Sec. 14. His speech? 15. The reply of Columbug? 
16. Whilher did Columbus wish to proceed ? 17, 18. What 
prevented him ? 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Page 98. Sec. 1. Who did Columbus find at Isabella? 2. How 
had Bartholomew succeeded with Henry? 4,5,6. Describe 
tlie person of Bartholomew. His temper. Manners. Dispo- 
lion. His mentaj endowments. 

Page 99. Sec. 7. VVhat title did Columbus give him 1 8. What 



QUESTIONS. 211 

had been the conduct of Margarita ? 9. His reply to Don 
Diego f 10. Who was his ally? Their proceedings'? 11. 
What was the conduct of the army? 

Pa^elOO. Sec. 12. Its effects'? 13. What was the design of 
Caonabo 1 14, 15. What of Ojeda and his picture of the Vir- 
gin ? 16. What of the attack on the fortress by Caonabo 1 

Page 101. Sec. 18. What were the five domains of the island ? 

20. Wliat was the plot of the caciques ■? What prevented it ? 

21. What occurred between Columbus and Guacanagari? 
Page 102. Sec. 22. What were the measures taken by Colum- 
bus ■? 24. State the expedition of Ojeda. 

Page 103. Sec. 27. What of the chapel bell ? 30. What was 

the artifice of the manacles 1 
Page 104. Sec. 33. What the conduct of Caonabo as prisoner'? 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Page 105. Sec. 1. What relief did Torres bring 1 What letters ? 

2. What did Columbus send by the ships ? 4. What did he lear 

respecting the Indians'? Witii what force did he take the field '? 
Page 106. Sec. 6. Where did he meet the enemy 1 7. Describe 

the batde. 10. What of Guacauagari 1 11, 12. What tribute 

did Columbus enforce 1 
Page 107. Sec. 13, 14. Its effects upon the natives'? 15. The 

nature of their ballads ? 
Page 108. Sec. 18. What measures did they take in then- despair "? 

19. How did tlie Spaniards act in consequence'? 20. What 

was the fate of Guf^panagari'? 23. His character "? 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Page 109. Sec. 1. Who misrepresented the conduct of Colum- 
bus at the court of Spain ? 3. What measure was taken in con- 
sequ(^ce ■? 4. VvHio was Aguado "? 

Page 110. Sec. 5. What Mas done with the slaves? 6, 7, 8. 
Hov/ did Aguado act on arriving 1 9, 10, 11. How did Colum- 
bus conduct towards him ? 

Page 111. Sec. 12. What was the effect among the people"? 13. 
How did Aguado receive their complaints'? 14. Describe the 
hurricane. 

Pa^e 112. Sec. 17. Recite the story of Diaz. 20. How were his 
tidings received at Isabella '? 

Page ll3. Sec. 23. What did Columbus infer from the mining 
excavations ■? 24. What of Diaz and his Indian bride 1 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Page 113. Seel. Whom did Columbua leave in command'? 
V/hat kind of jieople returned with him ■? 2. What rtixiarkable 
Indians "? 3. What Island did he touch at ■? 



212 QUESTIONS. 

Pa?e 114- Sec- 4, 5. What took place there 1 6. What of the 
^raale cacique and Caonabo 'i 7, 8. What of the fate of Cao- 
nabo ■? 

4*age 115. Sec. 9. What happened in the return voyage? 10. 
What of the crew wlien landinji at Cadiz "? 12. What was the 
appearance of Columbus ? 13. His reception by the sovereigns? 

Page 116- Sec. 15. What ships did he ask? 16- What caused 
delay? 18. What new arrangements were made with Colum- 
bus ? Wiiat title did he prefer ? 

Page 117. Sec. 21. What arrangements for the colony? 23. 
What did Columbus propose with respect to criminals? 24. 
What delays did he experience ? From whom ? 27. Who 
treated him with insolence ? How did he bear it 1 What was 
his message to the sovereigns on the subject ? 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Page 118. Sec. 1. Why did Columbus change his route in the 

third voyage? 
Page 119. Sec. 2. What had he heard of main land in the south : 

and its inhabitants ? 3, 4- What route did he take ? 5, 6, 7. 

What weather did he experience ? 
Page 120. Sec. 8. What island did he discover? 9. What part 

of the main land? 10. Vvliat gulf did he explore? 
Page 121. Sec- 14. What did he conclude from the vast body of 

frcsli water running into the sea ? 15. What did he infer as to 

the shai)e of the earth ? 16. What as to the terre.-tial paradise? 

18, 19. Why did he hasten for Hispaniola ? 20. What strait did 

lie pass through? 21. At v.hat part of Hispaniola did he 

ai'rive ? 

CHAPTER XXX 

Page 123. Sec- 1, 2. What fortress did the Adelantad*o build? 

3, 4. Who was Behechio ? What of Xaragua? 5. Who was 

Anacaono ? 
Page 124. Sec- 7, 8. Describe the reception of Don Bartholo- 

mew by Anacaona. 9. His entertainment at Xaragua. 10. 

What was the rotate of (he sctrlement ? 
Page 125. Sec. 11. What cacique rebelled in the vega ? 12. 13. 

The mode of sending a letter? 14- The Adelantado's measures 

with the rebels ? 15. Effect of his clemency on Guarionex ? 
Page 126. Sec. 16. What tribute did he receive at Xaragua? 

IS, 19. Describe the arrival of tlie caravel. 20, 21. Who was 

Roldan ? 
Page 127. Sec. 22, 23. His intrigues? 24. His propo.sifion re- 

epecting the caravel ? 25. What did Don Diego with Roldan 7 
Page 128- Sec- 26. Intrigues of Roldan among the caciques? 

27- How did he act at the public stores ? 28. His attempt on 



QUESTIONS. 213 

Fort Conception ? 30. What was the state of the island 1 31. 

Who arrives from Spain i Tlie consequences'? 
Page 129. Sec. 32, 33.' What occurred between Roldan and Co- 

ronaH 35. Whatof Roldan and Xaragua 1 
Page 130. Sec 36. What ofGuarionex and Mayonebex '? 38. 

Relate tlie expedition of the Adelantado. 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Page 131. Sec. 1- What did Columbus on his arrival ? 

Page 132- Sec 2. What ships arrived at Xaragua 1 What 
stratagem did Roldan use ? 3. AVhat did Cai-vajal do ? 4. 
What effect had his representations? 5. Wliat did Columbus 
offer ? How was his offer treateil 1 6. What of the muster at 
Sau Domingo? 

Page 133. Sec. 7. What did Columbus write by the ships ? 8. 
What measures did Columbus tlien pursue with tiie rebels ? 9. 
How did the rebels behave ? 10. What kind of letter was re- 
ceived from Fonseca ? II. Its effect 1 

Page 134. Sec. 12, 13. The situation of Columbus? 14. What 
capitulations did lie make 1 15. What are repardmientos'? 16. 
Who embarked in the caravels ? What did they take witn 
them? 17. What were Roldan's terms for himself? 18. What 
of Pedro Regueime "i 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

Page 135. Sec. 1. Who arrived at Hispaniola? 2. Who was sent 

against him ? 3, 4. What took place ijctween them 'i 
Page 136. Sec. 5, 6. What induced Ojeda to make a voyage ? 

Who gave him a license? 7. Who sailed with iiim ? 8. I)e"- 

scribe Ojeda's voyage. 9, 10. What took place on the coast 

of Xaragua ? 
Page 137. Sec. 11. What did Roldan's followers require ? 13, 

14, 15. Relate the story of Guevara and the Indian beauty. 
Page 138. Sec. 16. The plot a-ainst Roldan. 17. The plot of 

Moxica. 18. How did Columbus act? 19, 20, Relate the death 

of ]\Ioxica. 
Page 139. Sec. 21. What followed ? What did Columbus look 

forward to ? 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

Paoe 139. Sec. 1,2. What slanders were circulated against 
Columbus at court ? 

Page 140. Sec. 8. How was the king set against him? 4. What 
took place atthe Alhambra? 5. What were the doubts of Isa- 
bella? 6. What was the determination of Ferdinand? 7. 
Who arrived in the two caravels? What of the Indian slaves ? 

page 141. Sec. 8, 9. What said Isabella ? How did she act 1 



214 QUESTIONS. 

10. Who was Bobadilla? His character? 11. What did he 
hear on his arrival ? 12. What of the rebels ? Who were ia 
prison ? 

Page 142. Sec. 13. How did the public act ? 14. What were 
the first measures of Bobadilla? 15, 16, 17. What passed be- 
tween him and Don Diego l 

Page 143. Sec. 18, 19. What occurred at the fort? 20. How 
did Bobadilla act with respect to Columbus ? 21. What license 
did he grant to the people ? 

CHAPTEPv XXXIV. 

Page 143. Seel. What did Columbus Avnte to Bobadilla? 2. 
How did Bobadilla reply? 3. What rumour prevailed con- 
cerning Columbus ? 4. How did Columbus act on receiving the 
letter of the sovereigns ? How was he treated on his arrival at 
San Domingo? 5, 6, 7. Who put him in irons? How did he 
conduct himself? 

Page 145. Sec. 8. What did he write to Don Bartholomew ? 
the effect? 9. How were the brothers tieated? 10, 11, 12. 
The state of San Domingo ? Of the rebels ? 

Page 148. Sec. 13. What did Bobadilla determine 7 14, 15, 16. 
Describe the scene with Villejo. 17. Describe the departure of 
Columbus. 

Page 147. Sec. IS. His treatment on his voyage ? 19. His re- 
ply about his chains ? 20. What said his son respecting them ? 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Page 147. Sec. 1. The effect of his arrival at Cadiz ? 2. His 

letter to the queen "? Its effect ? 
Page 148- Sec- 3- What orders were issued by the sovereigns 1 

4,5, G. Describe the interview of Columbus with the sovereigns. 

7. What did they promise ? 8. Did Ferdinand reinstate him 1 
Page. 149. Sec. 9, 10, 11. His real reasons for not doing so "? 12, 

13. His alleged reasons "? 
Page 150. Sec. 14, 15. Who was Ovando"? His character "? 16, 

17, 18. What were the errors of Bobadilla? His treatment of 

the natives'? His exhortation to the colonists ? 
Page 151. Sec. 20, 21, 22. The conduct of the colonists towards 

the natives'? 23. What instructions were given to Ovando"? 

24. How were the affairs of Columbus to be taken cai'e of? 
Page 152. Sec. 25. What of negro slavery 1 26, 27. What of tlie 

fleet and retinue of Ovando ■? 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Page 152. Sec. 1, 2. What vow did Columbus call to mind ? 

Page 153. Sec. 3. What volume did he arrange ? 4. What letter 
did he write to the sovereigns ? 5, 6. Vv'^hat of Vasco ds Gama 
and his discoveries ? 7, 8. What strait did Columbus expect to 
discover ? 



^ QUESTIONS. 215 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Page 154. Sec. 1. The age and health of Columbus. 2. Who 
accompanied him on his voyr.ge ? 3. What was his armament ? 
4. Why did he touch at Hispaniola "? 5. The state of that place 
on his arrival ? 7, S. What did he request of O vando ? 

Page 156. Sec. 9, 10, 11. Tiie circumstances of the storm ? 12, 13. 
The fate of Columbus' enemies? 14- The opinions of his son 
and of Las Casas in the matter ? 

Page 157. Sec- 15, 16. The notions of the seamen- 17, 18- What 
of the Indian canoe at Guanaga? 19. What if Columbus had 
steered for Yucatan ^ 

Page 158. Sec- 20—24- What of Ills voyage along the coast? 25- 
The anecdote of tlie notaiy? 

Page 159- Sec- 26- What Avere the superstitions of the sailors 1 
27. What did Columbus find at Veragua 1 28, 29- What were the 
rumours of JMexico'J 30- Conduct of the natives along tliig 
coast. 31- ^Vhere did Columbus give up his search after the 
Bti'ait 1 and vviiy 1 

CHAPTER XXXVni. 

Page 160. Sec 1,2, 3. What of the weather? Of the water 

spout 1 
Page 161. Sec. 4- What charm did the sailors use? 5. What 

ivere their notions concerning sharks? 6. In what river did 

they anchor ? 7. What did tlie Adelantado ? 8. Who waa 

Quibian ? The interview with him ? 
Page 162. Sec. 9. What did the Adelantado find in the interior? 

10. What were the ideas of Columbus respecting the coast? 

11, 12. His plan of founding a colony? 13. What prevented 

his sailing ? 
Page 163. "Sec. 14, 15. Who was Diego Mendez? How did he 

discover the plot of Quibian? 17. Describe the expediJoa 

against Quibian. 
Page 164. Sec. 21. What of Juan Sanchez and Quibian ? 
« 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Page 164. Sec. 1. W^here did Columbus anchor? 

Page 165. Sec. 2, 3. What of Quibian and his assault ? 4. How 

did the Adelantado act? 5, 6. What of Diego Tristan? His 

fate? 
Page 166. Sec. 7, 8. The state of the Spaniards on shore? 9, 10. 

Their measures for defence ? 11. State of the ships ? 
Page 167. Sec. 12. What did the Indian prisoners? 13. What 

of Pedro Ledesma? 14. What news did he bring from shore? 

15, 16. What was the state of mindof CoIuPtbus? 
Page 168. Sec. 17, 18, 19. Relate his visiop 9P. Waa it real or 

imaginary ? 23. His embarkation. 



210 QUESTIONS. 

CHAPTER XL. 

Page 169. Sec. 1, 2. What was the route of Colurabus to Ja- 
maica? 3. VVJiere did he anchor ■? 4. What did he do with 
liis sliips ■? 

Page ]70. Sec. 5. What regulations did he makel 6. How 
did Diego Mendez procure suppHes'? 7 — 11, Slate the conver- 
sation of Columbus with Mendez. 

Page 171. Sec. 12. What said Mendez before the crew'? 13. 
Describe his preparations for a voyage. 

Page 172. Sec 14, 15, 16. What' letter did Columbus write? 
17, IS. Describe the adventures of Mendez. 19. Who went 
with him the second time'? 

Pap 173. Sec 20- The plan of the voyage ? 21. What did the 
Adelantado "? 

CHAPTER XLl. 

Page 173. Sec. 1, 2. Describe the look out for the canoe of Fi- 

esco. Tlie anxieties of the Spaniards. 
Page 174. Sec. 3. Who were Francisco and Diego Porras? 4. 

What were their slanders of Columbus'? 5. The scene between 

Porras and the admiral 1 Q. What did tlie mutineers "? 7. What 

did tiie Adelantado? 8. Describe the departure of the mutineers. 
Page 175. Sec. 9, 10, U. Their attempted voyage. 12. Their 

conrlucton shore. 
Page 1 "6- Sec. 13. How did Columbus act after their departure 7 

14. What was the conduct of the natives'? 15- Relate the stoiy 

of the eclipse. 

CHAPTER XLII. 

Page 177i Sec. 1, 2. Who arrived at the harbour? 

Page 173. Sec. 3. What letter did he bring'? 4. What was hig 
conduct"? What letter did Columbus write "? 5- What did Co- 
lumbus think of the visit of Escobar? 6. How did he act to, 
wards the rebels "? 7. What terras were demanded b^ Porras 1 

Page 179. Sec. 8, 9. What falsehood did he tell ? 10. What at- 
tempt did he make upon the harbour ? 11. What did the Ad- 
elantado ? 12, 13. What said Porras about his opponents 1 

Pa^e 180. Sec. 14. Describe the circumstances of the battle, 
Who fought with the Adelantado 1 How was Porras treated 1 
What was done to his followers ? 

CHAPTER XLIir. 

PaffelSl. Sec. 1. Describe the voyage of Mende* and FieBCOk 

What did they most suffer from ? 
Page 182. Sec. 7. At what small island did they toucli ? 8- Wli«r» 

did they land in Hispaniola ? 



QUESTIONS. 217 

Page 183. Sec. 9. Where did Mendez go 1 JO. What was his 
success with Ovand) "? 12, 13. What relief sailed for Jamaica? 

Page 184. Sec. 14. Describe the embarkation. 15. The recep 
tion of Columbus at San Domingo. 16. What diiferences oc- 
curx'ed between him and Ovando ? 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

Page 185. Sec. 3,2. What adventurers embarked with Ovando 1 
3, 4. Describe tlie Fcene at tlie mines. 

Page 186. Sec. 5. What was the fate of the gold hunters? 6, 7. 
What was the policy of Ovando towards the nauves 1 8, 9, 10 
What were its eftecus ? 

Page 187. Sec. 11. What of the province of Higuey and its ca- 
cique'? How did he invade Xaragual 14. flow was he re- 
ceived by Anacaona. 

Page 188. Sec. 15, 16. What stratagem did Ovando practise? 
Relate the ni-issacre. 17. What was the fate of Anacaona? 
18. Wiiat the f;ite of her province 1 

Page 189. Sec. 21- What had been the intention of Columbna 
with respect to the natives ? 22. What of the five tribes and 
tJieir princes? 23. Wliat did Columbus write on the subject? 
24. What was the sUite of his own affairs 1 25- What did he 
do with his crews'? 

Page 190. Sec. 26. State his voyage and arrival in Spain, 

CHAPTER XLV. 

Page 190. Sec. 1. What detained Columbus at Seville ; '3. What 
was the state of his finances'? 3. What did he write to hia 
Bon Diego '? 

Page 101. Sec. 4- How were his letters to the sovereigns treat- 
ed'? 5. Who was injuring him at court'? 6. On win >m did he 
rely for redress ? 7, 8, 9. Wliat had undermii:ed tlie healtli of 
Isabella? 

Page 192. Sec. 10- Describe her decline and death. 11. What 
did she enjoin in her will '? 12, 13. Her character. Her influ- 
ence over the affairs of the new world '? 1 1 15, 16. How did 
Columbus receive the news of her death ■? What did he write 
to his son on the subject ^ 

page 193. Sec. 17, IS. Repeat his exhortation to brotherly affec- 
tion. 19. How did he enter the gates of Segovia'? 20. How 
was he received at court'-' 

Page 194. Sec. 21. What did he petition of the king? 22. What 
did he say as to his own claims? 23. What did the kin^ oflfer 
liim? How did Calumbi;s treat his offer? 24. What did Co- 
lumbus write to a friend ? 

Page 195. Sec. 25. What event gave him new hopes? 26, 27 
What message did he send to King Philip ? 28. How wag the 
19 



218 QUESTIONS. 

Adelantado received f 30. Whom did Columbua coDstitute his 
heir*? Whom else did he provide for'? 
Page 196. Sec. 31. For wliat purpose did he enjoin a deposit in 
the bank at Genoal What other provisions did he make 1 32. 
When did he die ^ How oid was he at the ihne of his deathi 

CHAPTER XL VI. 

Page 196. Sec. 1. Whatwasthe nature of his genius? His am- 
bition? 2. What was his use of riches? 3. Why did he value 
rank ? What title did he most prize ? and why ? 

Page 197. Sec. 4- How did he conduct as a discoverer? 5. 
What was his temper? How did he govern it? 6. How did 
he act towards his enemies ? 7. How were his religious 
feelings ? 

Page 198. Sec. 8. What were Ids religious observances 1 9 
What mingled with his piety ? 10. Wliat was his error on the 
subject of slavery ? 11. What may be said in palliation of it? 

Page 199. Sec. 13. What of his imagination ? 14- What specu- 
lations did it produce ? 15. iLs effect on his meditations ? IQt, 
17. Its effect upon liia conclusions and plans? 

Page 200. Sec. 18. In what error did Columbus die ? 



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